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HISTORY 

OF. THE 

TOWN AND ABBEY 

OP 

MALMESBURY. 



PRICE, IN BOARDS, 
SEVEN SHILLINGS AND SIX-PENCE.. 



THE 

HISTORY 

OF THE 

TOWN OF MALMESBURY, 

AND OF ITS 

ANCIENT ABBEY, 

7%$ Remains of whufh magnificent Edifice are still used as a Parish Churchy 

TOGETHER. WITS 

MEMOIRS OF EMINENT NATIVES, 

AND OTHER 

DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS 

WHO WERE CONNECTED WITH THE ABBEY OR TOWNj 
TO WHICH IS ADDED, 

AN APPENDIX. X^^>: 



(EMBELLISHED WITH ENGRAVINGS.) 



Rev. /. M. MOFFATTy of Malmesbury. 



" Denique non lapides quoque vinci cernis ab sevo? 
** Non altas tunes ruere, et putrescere saxa ? 
** Non delubra Deum, simulacraque fessa fatisci ? 
** Nee sanctum Numen Fati protollere fines 
" Posse, neque adversus Naturae foedera niti? 
** Denique non monimenta virum delapsa videmns 
** Cedere proporrd, subitoque senescere casu }" 

Lucretius, 



TETBURY, 

Printed (for the Editor) by J. G. GOODWYN: 

Sold by F. and C. Rivington, St. Paul's Church-yard, and T, Conder, 
Bucklersbury, London. 

1805. 



*^ The most important advantages that result from these 
local accounts^ are derived from the materials which they 
furnish to the general History of the Country. These are 
the sources from which a great part of the most authentic 
information, belonging to the latter y may he drawn; and by 
which it may in future ages be, in a great measure, con- 
firmed or corrected. They may not only serve to ascertain 
property, preserve the genealogies of families, record illus- 
trious actions, uphold the memory of great characters, and 
retrace and bring to view the peculiar modes of life, the laws 
and customs, of past ages; but also contribute to perpetuate 
our happy constitutionJ*"^ '-'^^Co^imsoTLS History of Somer- 
setshire, Vol. I. pref. p. 8, 9. 



f 



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PREFACE. 



Many years have iiow elapsed since the author 
of the ensuing work began to collect materials for 
completing it. He would have been glad to have 
seen the undertaking executed by some abler hand, 
but as such an occurrence seemed improbable, he 
at length, in compliance with the solicitations of 
friends, undertook the task himself. The original 
design included merely the history of the Abbey of 
Malmesbury, and an account of the present state 
of that interesting fragihent of Gothic architec* 
ture. But in the prosecution of this intention, so 
many circumstances were discovered, which served 
to elucidate the civil history of Malmesbury, that 
it at length was thought advisable to include in 
the proposed publication every interesting occur- 
rence that could be collected relating to the abbey 
and town. How far this object has been attained, 
must be left to the decision of the candid reader* 

Every history whether general or local, must be 
in a great measure a compilation. Judgment in 
the selection, and accuracy in the arrangement 
of his materials, can alone be expected from the 
author of a work like the present. The reader 
-^^ill perceive from the- xiumierous- references at the 

B foot 



XIV PREFACE.- 

national ev^ents- in which the inhabitants of the 
tawn have iiad some concern, and the celebrity of 
those literary and political characters, who have 
been connected with it, are circumstances which 
render the History of Malmesbury sufficiently in- 
teresting to attract the attention of the general 
reader. — —To this we may add that though se- 
veral antiquarian writers, have drawn together 
some imperfect notices concerning the ancient 
s^tate of the monastery, and others still more slight 
accounts of the town in works relating to general 
topography, yet Malmesbury has never before, 
been the subject of a distinct publication. It is . 
also worthy of remark, that some curious parti- 
culars have been brought forward in consequence 
of our researches, wdiich in a few years, would 
probably have been lost for ever, for want of being- 
recorded. 

On all these accounts, Malmesbury must be al- 
lowed to be a proper subject for a local history. 

In undertaking a work relating chiefly to anti- 
quarian subjects, the author was well aware that. 
be entered on a novel study; and he would not 
perhaps have made the hazardous attempt had he 
not been previously assured of receiving important 
assistance. He was ready to believe that patient 
research and industrious accuracy, might supply 
the place of more splendid abilities. Candour and 
impartiality are indispensably necessary, in a work 
of this kind; and it is hoped that if any passage 
should occur in these pages, which may be thought 

to 



PREFACE. X-^1^ 

to offend againsfc either, it will be attributed to 
mistake or inattention, and not to design. 

It will be proper here to give some account of 
the circumstances which attended the publication 
of this work; and of the concern which the editor 
had in the preparation of it for the press, and in 
the subsequent conduct of the undertaking. 

The materials from whence the history of Mal- 
mesbury was compiled, were collected many years 
since by the editor. Much additional information 
was received from literary friends, on the publica- 
tion of the proposals for printing the history : and 
the researches of the author brought to light many 
curious and interesting occurrences, which con- 
tribute to give value to the work. 

The plan of the intended publication was laid 
down, the whole of the materials arranged for- 
the press, and the three first sections, with a part 
of the fourth printed off, when the author was 
attacked by a complaint which prevented him 
from proceeding in his design. This attack in 
the course of a few months, proved fatal; and the 
task of conducting the remainder of this work 
through the press, fell to the share of the editor. 
This undertaking; ^^'as attended with o'reater dif- 
iiculty than what was at first apprehended. On 
examining the author's manuscripts, it appeared 
they were written chiefly in short hand ; and it 
became indispensably necessary that nearly the 
whole should be transcribed. In doing this some 

tirflinsc 



%IV PREFACE. 

trifling errors were corrected, and additional facts 
ajnd observations occasionally introduced. 

It must not be omitted that the life of Hobbes, 
contained in the last section, was drawn up by 
the editor. 

The Appendix belonging to this work, is much 
less extensive than the author intended to have 
made it; but as all the original and important 
matter designed for it will probal?ly be presented 
to the public under another form, it is hoped 
that the reader will not disapprove of the cur-^ 
tailment that has taken place. A more particular 
account of the origin, nature, and design of the 
intended publication, may be seen jn the following 
advertisement. 

The editor is unv/illing to conclude this prefa* 
tory address without observing, that this work 
would doubtless have been more advantageously 
executed, if the author had lived to complete and 
publish it himself. However, notwithstanding 
its acknowledged defects, it is presumed that the 
History of Malmesbury will not be found incapable 
of aifording information, or amusement to those 
who may be induced to peruse it. 



Bridport, J. M. MOFFATT 

August 14, 180,^. 



atitirefe to tje J^vMit. 



When proposals were first issued for publishing 
the History of Malmesburijy it was imagined that 
the whole wight have been included within the 
compass of a moderate octavo volume. But since 
that time, a considerable number of additional 
communications have been received, so that the 
Editor found it impossible to complete the work 
on the original plan, zvithout enlarging the volume 
so considerably as to render the proposed price in-- 

adequate to the expences of printing, 8^c. At 

length he determined to leave out several copies 
and abstracts of inonastic and municipal charters^ 
and other old records, which were designed for 
insertion in the Appendix. To many readers these 
papers would have been very uninteresting ; there 
are others however, who might wish to be possessed 
of them as they are almost all hitherto uTipub- 
lished, or only to be found in large or expensive 
works. It is therefore proposed to publish a Sup- 
plement to the History of Malmesbury, containing 
Tiot only all those original papers which were de- 
signed for the Appendix, but many others of equal 
importance ; comprising all the principal charters 

granted 



XVI 

granted to the abbot and conx^ent^ and to the cor- 
poration^ to which will he added a chronological 
table of the events mentioned in the history, — 
This supplemental volume to be printed on a si- 
milar paper with the present-^Price Ars, As the 
editor cannot conveniently enter on this under- 
taking zcithout being previously assured of the 
sale of a sufficient number of copies to defray the 
eipence of printing, he is under the necessity of 
(iddi?igj that as soon as the names of txvo hundred 
mid fifty subscribers are received^ the Supplement 
shall he sent to the press. Half of the money to 
be paid at the time of subscribing, and the other 
half on the delivery of the book. Subscriptions 
will be received by F. and C. Rivingtons, and T, 
Condery London; and J. G. Goodxvyn, Printer^ 
t§T. Tetbiiry, 



CONTENTS. 



SECT. I. 

Of the antient State of the Town The derivation of 

its Name Its Antiquity Its different Appellations 

The attack and burning of the Town by the Danes King 

Athelstan, assisted by the men of Malmesbury, defeats the 

Invaders Roger, Bishop of Sarum His quarrel with 

King Stephen Siege of Malmesbury Castle by Henry 

of Anjou Battle fought near the Town Surrender 

of the Castle The Town garrisoned for King Charles I. 

in 1643.. --.Taken by Sir William Waller Made a mi- 
litary station of either party alternately, p. 21 — 31. 



SECT. II. 

The origin of Monachism Account of the Coenobites 

and Eremites The Rule of St. Basil The Convent 

of Nuns at Malmesbury in the sixth century Settlement 

of Meyldulph near the Tov*rn Of the Building and first 

Endowment of the Abbey Deed of Lutherius.. - -Death 

of Meyldulph, and succession of Aldhelm to the abbacy 

Benefactors to the Monastery King Ina.. , . .Athelstan. 

- - -Edgar « Edward the Confessor William the Con- 
queror 



XVm eONTENTSi 

queror Queen Mathilda Description of the Ab^ 

bey. Its offices. . „ . Of the Rule oi St. Benedict Of the 

different Monastic Orders, Account of the Religious Ser- 
vices. . , , -The Officers belonging to the Abbey Of the 

Reformation; and the Suppression of Monasteries. Their 

Value The Knights Hospitallers of St. John Re- 
flections on the dissolution of monasteries, and the devas- 
tation committed by the Reformers Preservation of the 

Abbey , Church by William Stumpe. p. 32 — 64. 



SECT. Ill, 

A Description of the Remains of the Abbey Church..., 

King Athelstan's Monument Epitaphs Conjectures 

relative to the periods when the different parts of the Abbey 
were founded Of the prospects of the ruin from dif- 
ferent points of view. p. 65 — 78. 



SECT. IV. 

Of the different' rtio'des of Architecture used in religious 
edifices at different periods. Saxon Architecture. Go- 
thic stile of Building... -Its origin and progrefs General 

observations. p. 79 — 92. 

SECT, v., 

A description of the lesser Antiquities in and near 

Malmesbury The Abbot's House St. Paul's Church. 

* The Chapel House.. .^, The White Lion Inn The 

Alms-house Burton Hill Chapel Whitchurch 

The Work-house The Town Wall Castle Well 

St. Mary's Church St. Hellen's Chapel Supposed 

Roman Camp The Market Cross. p. 93 — 105. 

SECT. 



CONTENTS. XIK 



SECT, VL 



The History of the Borough First Corporation 

King Athelstan's Charter Observations on the Origin 

of Boroughs The Merchant's Guild Charters of Ri- 
chard II .Of Hen. IV Deed of Hen. V Char, 

ters of Edward IV PoHcy of Hen. VII. and Hen, 

VIII Charter granted by Hen. VIII Grant of 

John Stumpe, esq.- Charter of Charles I Of James 

II Of William III Account of the Landholders 

and Commoners Of the First Returns of Members of 

Parliament Account of several Elections and Returns 

from twenty -sixth of Edw. I/tothe last general Election, 

Observations on Parliamentary Reform Of the Manor 

of Malmesbury.- Of the first Proprietors of it Ex- 
tracts irom Domesday -book with Remarks Incidental 

Notices relating to the descent of the Manor. Titles of 

J^obility derived from the Town. p. 106 — 152. 

SECT. vir. 

Of the Situation of the Town The course of the 

River Avon Of the Turnpike Roads Description 

of the Town Public Buildings Westport Church. 

Dissenting Chapels, viz. Presbyterian, Baptist, Mora- 
vian and Methodist. Clothing Manufactory State of 

Trade in ancient and modern times Charitable Founda- 
tions Poor Rates Sunday Schools Number of 

inhabitants.. . . Act of Parliament for improving the Town. 

p. 153—167. 



SECT. VIII. 

Of the Antiquity of Malmesbury... -.Sonnet to the 

Avon Advantages of Monastic Institutions An 

account of the; Abbots of Malmesbury,. .^. List of the 

Penfions 



XX CONTENTS. 

Pensions assigned to the Abbot and Monks, at the dissolution 

of Monasteries Account of the Property belonging to 

the Abbot and Convent Arms of the Abbot. 

p. 168—186 



SECT. IX. 

Biography St. Aldhelm Daniel' Bp. of Win- 
chester. Athelard Johannes Scotus ^Ifric Bp, 

of Crediton Oliver of Malmesb'ury Godfrey of 

Malmesbury Roger le Poer Peter Baldwin 

William of Malmesbury Anonymous Monks Wil- 
liam Stumpe Thomas Hobbcs Marquis of Whar- 
ton Mary Chandler. p. 187—234. 



Additional Facts; and Observations on some Parts of 
rhis Work. p. 235 — 242 

Appendix. p. 243 — 248 



PIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER, FOR PLACING 
THE ENGRAVINGS. 

Vieiv of Mahneshury Abbey, as a Frontispiece, 
The Gothic Gate-way, 8^c, to face p. 97. 

The Market Cross p. 104» 

Plan of the Town p. 153. 



fllSTORY 

OF 

MALMESBURY, 



SECTION I. 

Of the Town — Its Antiquity — Military Events, 



DIFFERENT derivations have been given to 
the word Malmesbury. A learned writer 
observes, " That the Greeks notified the places of 
their battles and victories by adding the term viy^n 
(victory) — whence Thessalonica, &c. The an- 
cient Britons did the same, by adding the British 
word mais (battle) — whence Malmaisbury,"* &;c. 
Leland says, This place received its name from 
one Meyldulph, a Scotch monk, who settled here, 
and built ^ monastery, f Accordingly, it is called 
by Bede MeylduJphi Urbs.X (Meyldulph's city) 



* Rees's edit, of Chambers's Cyclopaed. vol. i. under the term battle* 
But, It is to be noticed, that the Aame Malmefbury was not app'lied to this jla(;5 
till after the coiftmenccment of the Saxon heptarchy. 

t LeUad's CoUc^. yoli i. p. 301. % Bed. fiiftor. £cclef. lib, v. c. 18; 

c which 



[ 22 ] 

which appellation, in course of time, was changed 
into Malmesbury. Rapin derives the name in 
part from Aldhelm, the immediate successor of 
Meyldulph in the monastery. He imagines, that 
it is a contraction of Meyldulph- Aldhelm-bury, 
i. e. the tomb of Meyldulph and Aldhelm.* This 
conjecture is somewhat probable, as in the Saxon 
annals the town is called Mealdelmesbyrig/f 

In regard to the high antiquity of this place, J 
shall cite a few passages from different authors, 
Leland tells us, that a castle was erected here 
about one hundred and seventy-four years after 
the founding of the city Rome; J or between four 
and five centuries before the birth of Christ. The 
author of '' Eulogium Historiarum§" (as quoted by 
Camden) II reports, that Malmesbury, and the 
castles of Lacock and Tetbury, were built by Dun- 
wallo Mulmutius, king of the Britons, and by him 
Malmesbury was called Cae?^ Bladon; that when 
the town had been destroyed by wars, there arose 
out of its ruins a castle, as historians record; that 
at the same time, the Saxon petty kings had their 
palace at Caerdurburge, (Brokenborough) at pre- 
•.-'■■ '•■ — % 

^ Rapin vol* i. p. 60. ^ Camden^s Britan. (Gibfon's edit,) p* 196* 

^ Caftellum fuit conftruftum poft conditionem urbis Romz, an. 174. 
Leland's Colledt. vol. i. part 2. p. 304. Auxil. CoUea, for Wilt/h. MS. 

^ Itfeems, that work was compofed by a monk, of Malmefbuty. Eulogium 
hifloriarum in libros quinque divifum, a monacho quodam non Cantuarienfi 
(prout in catal. MSS. Cotton, p. 65.) fed Malmesburicnfi, confcriptum««-« 
Leland CoUeft. vol. i, p. 301. &c. Tanner"'s Notit. Monaft, p. 591. 

Jl Camden's Britani p. 196. 

sent 



[ 23 ] 

sent a village, about a mile ftom Malmesbury. 
Sammes also informs us, ** That Dunwallo is sup- 
posed to have built Malmesbury, and two neigh- 
bouring castles Lacock and Tetbury, and Devizes, 
formerly called Vies, Malmesbury was named by 
him Caer Bladon, though upon what account au- 
thors make no mention."^' But, as it appears, that 
the ancient name of the river, which flows by this 
place, was Bladon, f it is probable, that the river 
might have given name to the town;:]: and that, 
when the town no longer existed, the river still 
retained the same appellation. 

To the name Caer Bladon succeeded that of 
Ingelburne,§ Maildulf burgh, || Aldelmesbirig,^l" 
Meildunum.*'^ These, and similar names, have 
been applied to the town of Malmesbury. ff 

Hecords are wanting, in regard to the secular 
affairs of Malmesbury, during the existence of the 
Saxon heptarchy. 

The first event of moment that occurs in his- 
tory, respects an assault made on this place by the 
Danes, who are said to have burnt it. J J A disaster 
wjiiph happened probably in the seventh year of 
Alfred the Great, when the Danes entered a. d, 
the county of Wilts, plundering and de- 7^ 



^ Sam. Britan. Antiq. illuft. p. 172. 

•|- Will, of Malmef. de geft. reg.Angl. lib. i. cap, 2, 

+ Appendix Note I, § Camden p. 196. l\ Sara. Ibid. 

f[ Bed. verf, Saxon, et Camden. «* Gul. Malmflbur. 

•f-f Appendix Note U. 

J+ Spelman vita Alfred! p. 129. AuxH. CoUea, for Wiltfh. MS. ' 

.? c ^ stroyin 



[ 24 j 

stroying wherever they came.* The town was 
afterwards consumed by another fire, and restored 
by his son Edward, f 

In the reign of Athelstan, the inhabitants of 
Malmesbury assisted the king in his conflict with 
the Danes, and appear to have triumphed over the 
enemy. The special marks of royal favour, con- 
ferred on them for their valour, are noticed in the 

A. i>. charter, granted to the town by that 

^39 prince. According to Leland, the battle 
was fought at Sod bury Hill, fourteen miles from 
Malmesbury.":}: But Mr. Hobbes, speaking of 
Athelstan, as rewarding the people for their bravery 
in an encounter between them and the Danes, in 
which much Danish blood wa^ spilt, considers the 
fight as having taken place near the town.§ To 
reconcile these writers, we may suppose, that the 
men of Malmesbury displayed their courage, iu 
two engagements with the Danes. 

During the reigns of Athelstan's immediate suc- 
cessors, we do not find any political transactions 
of moment, connected with this part of our his- 
tory. But, under the unsettled government of 
King Stephen, Malmesbury became the theatre of 

* GoldAnlth* Andrews. ^ Spelman. Ibid. 

If *• It appeareth by reeard ia Malmefbury, that Malmefbury was rewarded 
ibr fervice doae la battayle afore the con^uefl at Sodbu^y•.hI!I•*^ Lcl. Itin» 
vol. vi'u p. 96. 

^ Praemia Tirtutls populo dedit Ule,« propIn(|UOS 
Sanguine Danorum quos madefeclt agros. 

Thorn. Hob, Malmelbur. vit. author, felp. p» 1. 

« A;he!ft5nus» 

i contests 



[ 2,5 3 

contests betweeft that monarch and hia turbulent 
barons, and between him and his coonpetitor Henry 
f)f Anjou, grandson of our Henry I. Previous to 
the accession of Stephen to the throne, Roger, 
Bishop of Sahsbury, an ambitious prelate, had 
taken to himself the custody of Malmesbury Abbey. 
Whilst it was in his hands, he fortified the tow^n 
with walls and a castle, Camden informs us, 
*' That he erected, both in this place and at Salis- 
bury, structures for cost very chargeable, and for 
shew very beautiful. The stones were set in such 
exact order, that the joints could not be seen."^ 
Whilst Roger was engaged in building a. d, 
this castle of Malmesbury, he had a dis- *^2^ 
pute with the king, in consequence of his refusing 
to submit to his decision of a difference between 
the bishop, and Alan of Bretagne, Earl of Rich- 
mond. They proceeded to extremities, and both 
Roger and his nephew, the Bishop of Lincoln, were 
made prisoners by Stephen, who also laid siege to 
the castle of Devizes, where another of Roger's 
nephews had secured himself He took it, though 
he met with an obstinate resistance. Stephen 
shortly after seized Roger's castles of Salisbury, 
Sherborne, and Malmesbury. These proceedings 
made the whole body of the clergy his enemies, and, 
had it not been for the death of the bishop, which 
happened about the close of this year, it is probable 
tiiat the king must have submitted to him.-j* 



* Caniifl^'5 Br]iun; p. S7. f WiUlaroofMaJracf, Rapin* 



But 



[ 26 ] 

; But this unhappy monarch only got rid of one 
enemy to meet \vith otliers still more formidable. 
These were^ the Empress Maud and her son Henry^ 
>vho invaded England^ claiming the cro^yn, as 
being more nearly allied to the late king than 
Stephen. The people in general, as well as the 
cJergy, having been disgusted by the behaviour of 
Stephen, the Empress Maud, supported by her 
brother the Earl of Gloucester, overcame the king, 
and she was seated upon the throne. The empress, 
however, not giving more satisfaction to the peo- 
ple than their form.er monarch, he was restored, 
. and she was obli^'ed to fly the kinodom. 
1152 Her son Henry of Anjou, entered England 
to support his claims to the crown. 

''Soon after his landing he laid siege to Malmes- 
bury, and took it in a very short time, together 
with the castle, except one tower (Jordan 'sTower)* 
which being too strong to be taken by assault, he 
blocked it up, with a design of reducing it by 
famine. Stephen, who had intelligence of his 
having performed this spirited action, almost as 
soon as he heard of his landing in England, was 
much alarmed. He made all the haste he could 
to assemble his forces, and having formed a great 
army, marched directly to the enemy, and offered 
them battle. But Henry, who was much inferior 
to .him in numbers, kept himself close in his camp^ 



* Jordan \yas the name cf the defender of it. VId. Gervafe Cantuar. 
p. 1372. Auxil, ColJea, for WHtih. MS. # • - ' 

t^ ^ which 



[ 27 ] 

vrliich on one side was defended by the walls of 
the town, and on the other by the river Avon, 
continuing still the blockade of the tower of 
Malmesbury, and avoiding to fight, unless Stephen 
should attack him, which he could not do in such 
a posture Avitliout extreme disadvantage. That 
monarch nevertheless determined to risk it, for he 
found his army sufter much by the severity of the 
cold, and apprehended that delay would strengthen 
the Duke. He therefore advanced to the river 
with a resolution to pass it, though he saw the 
enemy drawn up in order of battle on the op- 
posite bank. But, as he came on, there arose a 
wintry storm, with violent showers of hail and 
sleet, which drove directly in the faces of his men, 
who, quite benumbed with the w^et and cold, lost 
all use of their arms, all strength and courage ; 
w^iile those of the Duke, having the wind in their 
backs, and being much sheltered, suffered little by 
it. The river was swelled by the rains, and ren- 
dered impassable; so that Stephen, now despairing 
of any success, and unable to bear the inclemency 
of the weather, which continued very bad, re- 
tired to London. Soon afterwards the tower of 
Malmesbury was. surrendered."^ 

Towards the close of the year, by the good offices 
of some of the nobility on each side, a.d. 
a treaty of peace was effected, in which ^^^^ 



* Littleton's Hlft. of Hen. II. vol. iJ. p. 424, 225, The Saxon Chronld^ 
i:ient on this event, Auxil, CoUeiL Wilt/h, MS, 



Stephen 



[' 28 ] 

Stephen agreed to adopt Henry as his successor to 
the throne of England, and thus ended a cruel 
war, which had mged so furiously, and brought 
such extreme misery on the people.* 

We do not find Malmesbury mentioned as hav- 
ing any particular concern in the numerous and 
violent conflicts between the houses of York and 
Lancaster. It is only spoken of in history as one 
of the places through which Edward IV. passed, 
at the time he advanced to meet Queen Margaret, 
previous to the memorable battle of Tewkesbury, f 
when the Lancastrians were utterly defeated, and 
Margaret and her husband Henry VI. both taken, 
and confined in the Tower, where the latter soon 
ended his days. 

But though Malmesbury for a long period does 
not appear to have been the scene of any military 
action, yet, amidst the civil commotions which 
raged in the reign of Charles I. it felt in some 
measure the destructive hand of war. The infor- 
mation we have been able to procure, relating to 
that event, is chiefly from the parish register and 
tradition. 
A. D. We collect from the register that there 
* 43 ^v'as a royal garrison in this place. 

Tradition has preserved the following anecdote 
of King Cbarles. That he passed through Malmes- 
bury on his way to Cirencester, and spent part of a 
night in a building called " the Banqueting-House," 

* Appendix Note III^ f Speed, &C4 

on 



t 29 ] 

on the eastern side of the town. Having received 
intelligence that a detachment of the parliament 
tary forces was approaching, the king in the 
course of the night rode to Cirencester behind 
Prince Rupert : Cirencester had been taken by that 
prince not long before this occurrence.* The 
prince, apprized of the king's danger, hastened 
from thence to Malmesbury to rescue him." This 
anecdote partly corresponds with a passage in the 
life of Lord Clarendon, viz. that King Charles, in 
164'3, lodged at Malmesbury one night. f It also 
accords with what is said by other writers. About 

MAR. Sir William. Waller, after he had taken Chi- 
^ "^^ Chester, made a quick movement through 
Wiltshire with near two thousand light horse and 
dragoons, and took for the parliament with little 
loss and trouble a small garrison of the king's at 
Malmesbury, before it was fortified or provided. J 
MAR. 27. Malmesbury surrendered to the Parlia- 

■^43 ment.§ But in the same year, it appears 



* Kimber p, 309. 

•f- The life of the Eariof Clarendon, written by himfelf, in 3 vols, oftavo. 

Vid. vol. i. p. 127. Aux. CoUeft. for Wiltfh. MS There is this difagree- 

ment between the tradition and the hiftorian j the latter fays, ** The king was 

on fcis wat to Briftol," Biit ds Cirencefter was in the hands of the king rn the 

month of March, whereas Briftol was not until July in that year, (Kimber 

p. 309, 311.) confequently, in this particular the tradition may be deemed right. 

It may he, that after Briftol came into the pofleflion of the king, he pafled 

through Malmelbury again, and the hiftorian may refer to the fecond vifit. 

■..+ d '■•(.',■• ■ ■ ■■ , "i - 'i-L ' ■ . ■ '■ 
+ A hiftory o( the civil wars during the reign of Charles I. collefted from 

Clarendofl, Bifhop K.ennet,'Eachard, Sec, by J. Hooper, p*'2'54* 

■■■-■•■ J. ' . :".:•■■/ "I.v:- 

> Poioter's Chron, Hift. of EngU p» 169. 

D to 



[ 30 1 

to have been retaken by the king's troops. For 
Hooper says, that in the fall of the year the 
parliament army had not the least footing in 
Wilts.* And in the parish register is this me- 
morandum: — "Baptized the 6th of November, 
1643, Elizabeth Dabridgeourte, the daughter of 
Thomas Dabridgcourte, esq; lieutenant-colonel in 
the king's armie, and deputie governor under Colo- 
nel Howe, (or HoAvard)! of the town of Malmes- 
biiry." At what time Malmesbury fell again 
iiito the hands of the parliament is not certain. J 
sEPi. Perhaps it was iii or near this time; for 
* 45 III the ^yall over one o'fithe lofty arches of 
the abbey church is a large hole, said to have 
been made by a Cannon-ball, in an assault on the 
town by Oliver (srom well. A field named the 
WorthySy tradition reports to have been the place 
of encampment; and it i^, evident, that the ditch 
on the southern side of this field, which is opposite 
the abbey, was thrown up for some other purpose 
than that of a mere field fence. § Now about the 

* Hoopef p. 318. 

■\ The name of the gove;-por. is almaft defaced, but I rather judgejit to he 
Howard,, of whom Hooper fpeaks, as a cplonel in the king's army. ' 

otW ,'??-*i?BF*?^f/W?; ^^;'^"5gi%r»:^^^' ***:S?l!^?^^S*'r^;^44» the llewtenanUcolonel 
«£. the, gatrlfon was Pudfiej but we are not informed whether Mr.r Pudfie was 
^ royalift or a parlian:ienta.Tian. " Married ,59th of September, 1644, Mar- 
m^duke Pa,dfie,ili,e|^teji%anjtf/Bg|ppel.pfj t^.gaf.iji^pi„,^fti!>lf§,;M4^rgaret:Jvye, of 
the abbpji.":,^ ■:>■;:.;',;>, -.Vm ■;'-: -.::r>'t;L; ••ir Jn:; f.^:-^^ . .■■- ' ::■:,,: rx^ii^-.. 

^ Mr., John S^mwell,Q(fy bas.a deqd bearing date A.D. 1659, in which it is 
notified, that certain houfes formerly ftandjlng.in the Abbey-row were burnt 
down in the civil" wars. This cTrcumftance renders it probable that the par- 
liamentary troops nrfawiV tlipeif attack on t?itf tttv^n'fVom the Worthys. 

•.; a fore- 



[ 31 ]■ 

fore-mentioned time, Cromwell was in Wiltshire, 
and made himself master of the castle of Devizes.* 
It is therefore probable, that Malmesbury was ano- 
ther place in the county which he regained for the 
parliament. By means of the register, we traca 
the continuance of a garrison in Malmesbury to 
June, 1646. 

* Kimber p. 3I5» 



SECTION II. 



[ 32 ] 



SECTION II. 

Origin of Monachisin briefly noticed — History of 
Malmeshury Abbey, 



THE persecution which attended the first ages 
of the gospel, led the professors of Chris- 
tianity to withdraw from the world, and dwell in 
deserts and other places most private, where they 
employed themselves in acts of devotion. This 
manner of life became so agreeable to them, that 
when the persecution ceased, they were not dis- 
posed to return to their former habitations. From 
their example retirement acquired such repute, 
that the practice was continued by others,^ who 
perhaps were further influenced to adopt this 
mode, through misinterpreting such passages of 
scripture, as Luke xviii. 22. and xiv. 26. . Matt, 
xix. 29. t ^^^ some may have been induced to 



* Dr. Inef s Church Hift. 
4- The above texts may be confidered as teaching the difelples of Jefus Chrlft 
in every age to have their affedlions moderated towards earthly things j and that 
when duty and the retaining woi-Idly pofleflions become inconfiftent, they fhould 
be cheerfully given up, that the deareft enjoyments fhould be readily refigned, 
even life itfelf.— Unlefs extraordinary circumftances fhould occur, the word of 
God, inflead of encouraging Chriftians to feclude themfelves from civil fociety, 
admonifhes them to unite a diligent profecution of their lawful common occu- 
pations, with an earn^zfi atteation Co the duties of religion* Rom. xii. iz« 

betake 



[ 33 ] 

betake themselves to this recluse state in conse- 
quence of their having* embraced the doctrine of 
the mystics. 

Paul, who lived in the third century, and retired 
to the solitary deserts of Thebais in Egypt, where 
he spent ninety years, has been deemed the first 
anchoret or hermit.* Mosheim thinks, that it was 
the mystic theology which led him to make this 
retreat. 

The mystics held, *^ That the faculty of reason 
was an emanation from God into the human soul, 
and comprehended in it the principles and elements 
of all truth human and divine. That silence, 
tranquillity, repose, and solitude, accompcinied with 
such acts of mortification as might tend to exhaust 
the body, Avere the means by which the hidden 
and internal word was excited to produce its latent 
virtues, and to instruct men in the knowledge of 
divine things. Many who embraced this doctrine, 
accordingly secluded themselves from society, and 
lived in caves, &c. where they macerated their 
bodies with hunger and thirst, "f 



* It is however to be noted, that though Paul is placed at the head of the 
order of the hermits, yet .that unfociable manner of life was very common in 
Egypt, Syria, India, and Mefopotamia, not only long before his time, but eveii 
before the coming of Chrift. And it is ftill pradllfed among the Mahometans 
as well as the Chriltlans in thofe burning climates. For the glowing atmof- 
phere that furrounds thefe countries, is a natural caufe of that love of folitude 
and repofe, and of that indolent and melancholy difpofition, that are remarkably 
common among their languid inhabitants. — Machine's Mofheim vol. i, p. 223. 
The T/avels of Lucas in I7i4» vol, ii, p, 363. 

■f Molh* vol, i.p, 222. 

Anthony^ 



[ 34 ] 

Anthony, a native of Egypt, who Hved in the 
fourth century^ and inherited a large fortune, is 
said to be the first who formed the monks into 
regular bodies, and to have built many monas- 
teries,^ Such monks were called Coenobites, as 
they dwelt together an fixed habitations,! and the 
brotherhood, denoting that fraternal love which 
should prevail among them. The person who pre- 
sided over them was called Father or Abbot, which 
signifies the same in the Egyptian language. J An 
appellation suggesting this idea, that he was to 
govern the religious house with paternal authority 
and affection, 

Basil, surnamed the Great, Bishop of Ceesarea, 
who lived in this century, hath beeii considered as 
the first who made a code of laws for the monks. § 

William of Malmesbury says, that the first con- 
vent in England was at Glastonbury, and that it 
was founded in the fifth century. || 



* Mofli. p. 306.— Noorthouck*s Hiftor. and Claflic. Dift. 

■f Whereas thofe monks who lived in perfeft folitude, and were fcatterei 
here and there in deferts, in the hollow of rocks, &c. received the denomi- 
nation of Eremites." Moih. p. 309% 

4! Abbot may alfo be derived from Abba, a word in the Jewifii or Syro- 
Chaldaick language, which fignifies Father. Doddr. Fam« Expof. 

^ Vid. Dugdale's Pref. Monaft. vol, i, Trufler. Some apprehend Pachomius 
was the firft who governed the monks by a code of rules. Fofb. 

1} De reg. lib. i. c. 12. In this century arofe in the eaft, that order of men 
called Stilites by the Greeks, and Sandti Coluipnares, or Pillar Saints, by the 
Latins. Thefe were perfons who flood upon the top of pillars, exprefsly raifed 
for this exercife of their patience. The inventor of this ftrange difcipline was 
Simeon a Syrian; he pafled thirty-feven years of his life in this ridiculous 
manner. The learned Frederic Spanheim fpeaks of a fecond Simeon, the Styiite, 

who 



[ 35 ] 

Aiitiquarian writers inform us, that at the close 
of the sixth century there was a convent at 
Mahnesbury. It consisted of British nuns under 
the direction of Dinoth,^ abhot of the famous 
monastery of Bangor. f These nuns being charged 
(perhaps falsely) with living in a state of incon- 
tinence with the soldiers of the castle, were sup- 
pi^ssed by Augustine, the first Archbishop of 
Canterbury.:!: 
^.t,. ' About this time Meyldulph, a Scot, a 
^^P . man of singular piety and strict holiness 
of life, being persecuted in his own country, left 
it, and travelled from place to place till he came to 
Alalmesbury, then called Ingelburne, which had 
been a town of note for many ages, and was at 
that time defended by a castle. Taken with the 
pleasantnejss of th& spot, he obtained a piece of 
ground at' the foot of the castle hill, where he 
raised an hermitage. Being a learned man he 

who lived in. the fixthcentjj^y.. This f^nati9 reoiained upon ^'^ pillar fixty- 
eight years. Span. Ecclef. HU^^. p. 1154. Evagrius Hlft. lib. vi. c. 23, 
Mofh, vol. i. p..3og. ... •, r.v , 

* Leland's Colled:, vol. i. p. 304. and vol. li. p. 395. Tanner, Grofe.— 
Dinoth is fpoken of as a prudent clerk, and well fkilled in what were afterwards 
called the feven liberal fciences. Sammes. 

'J- Bangor monaftery (fays Mr. Hume) was a building fo extenfive, that there 
was a mile's diftance from one gate of it to another} and it contained two 
thoufandone hundred monks, of whom we are told that they maintaini:d them* 
felves by their own labour., ,;,..;- , 

,j. Pope Gregory fent over to England, Auguftine, who was a Roman monk, 
and forty of his brethren, to attempt the converfion of the Anglo-Saxons.— 
Succefs attended thefe miffionaries, and Auguftine fubjeded the Church of 
Eng^land to Rome by owning the Pope's fupremacy, which, however, none of the 
Britiih bifhops in hHs time would acknowledge* Andrews, Noorthouck. 

established 



i 36 1 

established a school for his support.* In process 
of time he collected a number of persons disposed 
to live under regular discipline, and built a small 
monastery. f The members of this society were so 
indigent, that with much difficulty they procured 
their daily sustenance. J: After long consultation 
between IMeyldulph and Aldhelm, a monk of the 
same place, it was determined to put this religious 
house under episcopal jurisdiction. § An applica> 
tion was made to Lutherius, Bishop of Winchester, 
and Primate of the West-Saxons. By means of 
this prelate, the abbey was raised from a low to a 
magnificent state. || It is probable that KeneA^alch, 
a king of Wessex, (over whom Lutherius had great 
influence)^ and Ethelred, King of Mercia, contri- 
buted towards the erection of the edifice.** The 
town of Malmesbury, which belonged to Lutherius, 
was given by him to the abbey. The following, 
is a translation of the original deed relating to 

* Camden, Hearne, Grofe. We are told that Nfaimefbury had tfi« firft fchool 
In England in which the Latin language was taught. 

HJc habuit primam lingua Latina fcholam.— -Hob. vit. p. I. 

•f- Malmeiburlenf. monafterium. A quodam Meyldulpho, natlone (ut aiunt) 
Scotto, cruditione philofopho, profeffione monacho, adeo anguftis fumptibus 
elaboratum. Will. Malmf. de geft. reg. Angl. lib. i. p. 6. 

-f. Ut inhabitantes quotldianum vi^lum aegre expedlrent. Ibid. 

§ Ibid. 

W Lutherius. Malmef. Monaft. Intuitu ex humiil ad ampliilinium ftatum 
provexit. Ibid. ,' 

^ Ibid. Sam. p. 566. 

** It appears from an ancient deed, that Ethelred became a benefador to 
the abbey A. D. 675. Malmefbury was fituatcd on the borders of Weflex, 
adjoining to Mercia. 

that 



.[ 37 j 

that donation : — '^ I, Lutherius, by the grace of 
God, bishop and primate of the West Saxons, have 
been asked by the abbots, who are known to pre- 
side with pastoral anxiety over the convent of 
monks, subject to our parochial law,^' that I would 
vouchsafe to grant to Aldhelm the presbyter, for 
the purpose of enabling him to lead a monastic 
life, that land which is called Maildulfesburchy 
in which place he has constantly lived from his 
earliest infancy, and was there instructed betimes 
in the rudiments of liberal learning, and brought 
up in the bosom of our holy mother the Church. 
From this circumstance, principally, fraternal 
affection seems to suggest the present' petition. 
Wherefore, in compliance with the prayer of the 
aforesaid abbots, f and induced by the request of 
the brotherhood, I voluntarily grant the place 
itself to them and their successors, following the 
rule of the holy order with diligent devotion." — 
Done in public by the side of the river sept. 8, 
Bladon. ^75% 

Meyldulph did not long survive this ^.d. 
transaction. Willis says, that he died ^7^S 
and was succeeded by Aldhelm. Through his 



* Dugdale fays, the divifion of a diocefe into pariflies firft took place about 
A. D. 636. 

-f- Meyldulph, we may fuppofe, through the infirmities of age, became incapa- 
ble of dlfcharging the duties of his flation, and therefore received Aldhelm as an 
afliftant, who, it appears, had the title of abbot before the death of Meyldulph. 

^ Will, of Malmf. de geft. reg, Angl. lib. i. p. 6, 7. Appendix, Note IV. 

^ Mitred Ab. vol. i, p. 136. 

' , E efforts, 



[ 38 1 

efforts, and the favour of Lutnenus, tne mo a* 
astery became very prosperous, both as to its 
revenues, and the multitude of monks, who from 
all quarters flocked to it. And it seems, that 
religion and literature flourished in this convent ; 
for Aldhelm was a person of exemplary devotion 
and great erudition for that age.* 

Among the numerous benefactors to Malmes- 
bury abbey were, — Ina, Athelstan, Edgar, Edward 
the Confessor, William the Conqueror, and his 
Queen Matilda. 
A. D. Ina, one of the kings of Wessex, gave to 
7°* Malmesbury abbey the manors of Cow- 
folde, Rodborne, Corston, and Burton, with the 
appurtenances. t He also confirmed a special grant 
made by Pope Sergius to Aldhelm the abbot, and 
his successors. J Ina has the character of a pecu- 
liarly just and humane prince, and is known for a 
code of laws still extant in the Saxon language. § 
He built several abbies.jl After a long reign, he 
resigned his throne, turned monk, and made a 
pilgrimage to Rome, where he had founded a col- 
lege for the education of English youth. On his 
return home, he shut himself up in a cloister, and 
there died.^ 
• "" ' ' j » " "' I ■ .1. . • . ■ . ■ - ■ - ~ 

* Tunc res monafterii In Immenfumefferri, tunc monachi undique aggregari: 
turrebatur ad Aldelmum totis compitis ; his vitse fanilimoniam, his literarum 
fclentiam defiderantibus. Erat enim vlr ille cum rciigionc fjmplex, (um eru- 
ditlonc multiplex. Will, of Malmf. Ibid. 

•f- From the regifter-book of the monaftcry of Malmelbury in the Britiib 
Mufeum Bibl* Cotton. Fauflin. b. viii* 

^ Appendix, Note v. ? Sammcs, p. 570, &:c. 

\\ Appendix, Note VI. % Hume. Atlielstan 



C 39 ] 

Athelstan, son of Edward the elder, about 
and grandson of Alfred the Great, ^" gave ^^ 
Kemyll, Ewr3^ge, Horton, and Ewelme, to the 
abbey ;t also the estate of Alfred, a nobleman, 
which was confiscated on account of the conspira- 
cies into which he had entered against that prince : 
some curious particulars relating to the matter are 
mentioned elsewhere. J But the donation deemed 
most valuable was this: — Athelstan, among the 
presents from Hugh, King of France, had re- 
ceived the sword of Constantine the Great, in the 
hilt whereof Avas one of the nails which fastened 
Christ to the cross, and the spear of Charles the 
Great, reputed to be the same that pierced Christ's 
side; likewise part of the wood which composed 
the identical cross of Christ, enclosed in crystal; 
and part of the crown of thorns which he wore, 
enclosed in the same manner. The two last arti- 
cles Athelstan gave to Malmesbury abbey, and 
Wilham the historian says, he believes they con- 
tributed not a little to its prosperity. § 



^f His grandfather Alfred had a high opinion of him when he was young, 
tnd knighted him; and he is faid to have been the fiift in EngUijd who re- 
ceived that honour. 

f From the rcgifter-fcook of the monaftery, &c. f Appendix, Note VII. 

y Hugo rex Francorum per nuncios a germano cxpetiit. Princeps hujus 
legationis fuit Adulphus. Is protulit muncra fane ampllflima— Enfetn Con- 
ftantini magni, in capulo fuper crafTas auri laminas clavum ferreum affixum 
cerneres unum ex quatuor quos Judaica fadio Dominici corporis aptarct fup- 
plicio. Lanceam Caroli magni. — Fcrebatur eadem effe quae Dominko lateri 
ctnturionis manu impada, preciofi vulneris hiatu paradifuno miferis mortalibus 
aperuit. — Particulam fandjc Sc adorandae crucis criftallo Jnclufam. Fortiuo- 
culam quoque cpronae fpineae eodera modo inclufdm.— Partem crucis et coronas 

Malmesburise 



[ 40 ] 

Such was Athelstan's veneration for Aldhelm the 
second abbot, that he chose him for his tutelar 
saint. His cousins Elwin and Ethelwin, slain in 
the famous battle of Brunanburgh, were by Athel- 
stan's order buried in the abbey church, near the 
sepulchre of St. Aldhelm. ^^ Athelstan himself 
A. D. dying at Glocester, his body was brought 
^^* to Malmesbury in great solemn pomp, and 
interred under the high altar, f This prince, re- 
nowned for his bravery, political knowledge, and 
efforts to advance literature and commerce, having 
displayed such liberality towards Malmesbury 
abbey, and the inhabitants of the town having also 
been distinguished by his beneficence, in testimony 
of their gratitude, instituted a festival in comme- 
moration of their royal benefactor. It is annually 
kept on the second Tuesday after Trinity Sunday, 
and is deemed the principal holiday in the year. 
A. d/ King Edgar gave Escote to Malmesbury 
^^"^ . abbey, J and it is supposed, that by him the 
conventual church was rebuilt. This is probable 

Malmelburls delegavit, quorum fuftentaculo adhuc credo vigere locum ilium, &c. 
Will. Malmef, de geft. reg. Angl. lib. ii. c. 6. It is not much to be wondered 
at, that a writer of William's abilities fhould make this reflection, when we 
confider the credulity and fuperftition common to the age, and the extravagant 
veneration which had been paid to relics throughout £urope. Some curious 
inflances are noticed by Mr, Andrews, vol, i, p. 80. 

w Will, Malmef. de geft, reg, Angl. lib. ii. c. 6. p. aS. 
+ Id, p. 29. Vitae termino expleto & quidem immaturo, Athelftanus 
Gloceftria diem claufit* Exuviae triumphales Malmelburiam delatae, et fub 
altare tumulatae funt. Portata ante corpus multa in argento Sc auro donatia, 
timul et fan<Sorum reliquiae de tranfmarina Brittania emptas, 

4^ Regiiler-book of the monaftery of Malmefbury. 

from 



[ 41 ] 

from his deed, which relates to the ejection of the 
secular priests from Malmesbury, and to the resto- 
ration of the regulars, in which he expresses him- 
self to the following effect: — *^That having often 
attentively considered what return he should make 
to God for the extraordinary prosperity he enjoyed, 
he came to this resolution; that he would restore 
the sacred monasteries, which being composed of 
rotten shingles and worm-eaten boards, divine ser- 
vice was neglected in them, and they were almost 
deserted. That having expelled the illiterilte 
clerks,^ who were subject to no rule of religious 
discipHne,* he had in most places constituted as 
pastors, persons of the holy order, &c. and had 
issued gifts from his treasury for the repairing of 
the ruined edifices, f That he had appointed 
iElfric, a man eminently skilled and practised in 
ecclesiastical matters, to preside over the famous 
abbey of Malmesbury. And that for the welfare 
of his soul, and for the honour of our Saviour, 
Mary his mother, mother of God, and always a 
virgin ; the apostles Peter and Paul, and Aldhelm 



* The monks In England married and fupported their families with decency 
until the reign of Edgar, when Dunftan introduced celibacy, and tore their 
wives and children from fuch priefts, filling them harlots and baftards. And. 
vol. 1. p. 2o, Thofe monks who were willing to retain their wives and children 
were termed fecular priefts, and thofe who quitted both were ftlled regulars. 
Be it remembered, that the account tranfmitted to us of the fecular clergy, who 
lived at that period, comes from their enemies. Tan. p. 5. 

-f- Edgar, we are told, erefted or rather refounded forty-feven monafteries. 
Heming, vol. 11. p. 518. And the lands, &c. which had been taken away from 
the religious houfes, were reftored by his authority. Tan. p» 3. 

the 



t 4£ ] 

the holy bishop,'— he had restored to the use of 
the monastery the lands, meadows, and woods, 
which in the time of the clerks came unjustly into 
the hands of ^thelnoth, who had been convicted 
of the fraud by his wise men in his presence."* 
A. D. Edward, whose munificence to the monks 
^^^^ gained him the appellation of Confessor, 
confirmed the former donations to this monastery, 
and himself granted it great privileges. In this 
charter he says, ^' All things that are written, ob- 
serves the apostle, are written for our learning, that 
by patience and consolation of the scriptures we 
may have hope. Therefore eternal durable joys 
are to be purchased instead of earthly and fleeting 
ones, and good things are to be obtained by hope. 
For God himself will render retribution of all our 
actions in the day of examination, according to 
every one's desert. Wherefore I, Edward, through 
the divine favour governing the royal sceptre of 
the English, being asked by Brithric, abbot of the 
monastery of Malmesbury, with the consent of my 
bishops and nobles, for the honour of th^e holy 
mother of God, Mary, perpetual virgin^ and for 
reverence of St. Aldhelm, formerly abbot of the 
same monastery, afterwards Bishop of Sherburne ; 
whose glorious body in the same church venerably 
reposeth, and shines with many miracles, do grant, 
and by my royal authority do enjoin, tliat the same 



* Appendix, Note VHI. contains a copy of the original from William of 
Malmcfbur}', for the fatisfadion of the learned reader. 

church, 



I 43 1 

cliurch, and all its lands and possessions which 
this day it holds, or hereafter by the bounty of 
any of my faithful people it may hold, in perpetual 
right, and in perpetual peace they may hold. — 
And I do grant and enjoin, that the same church 
be free from all worldly yoke, viz. of shires, and 
hundreds, and pleas, and quarrels, and all gelds 
and customs. I grant moreover to it full liberty, 
that is, saca and soka^ tol and theam, infang' 
theoffe manbiiche,'^ kc. Whoever, therefore, as- 
sists this our donation or liberty, may it lead him 
to the enjoyment of paradise. But whoever con- 
temns it, may he with hands and feet bound be 
plunged into the depth of hell, "f 

William the Conqueror became a be- a.d. 
ncfactor to Malmesbury.J His charter ^°^* 
contains heavy anathemas and curses against those 
of whatever degree or quality who should infringe 
or diminish the same,§ and a blessing to such as 
should increase or improve these gifts. But it is 
well known, that he was far from uniting zeal for 
religion with justice and humanity, which indeed 
he is said to have bitterly lamented in a dying 
hour. It is remarkable, that after what he had 

* Saca, Soka, &c. occur in moft of the monaftic charters, and imply the 
manerial privileges common in feudal times of free liberty of fale, or purchafe, 
having markets, fairs, and mills, and exercifing jurifdiftion over their imme- 
diate vaflals. Fofbrooke. 

+ From Mr, Caley's tranflation of the ckarter of King Edward the Confeflbr^ 
of the liberties of the church of Malmefbury. The original is in the regifter* 
»ook of the abbey, in the pofTclEon of the Marquis of Lanfdown, 

4- Dug. Monaft. vol» J. p. 53. ^ Appendix, Note IX. 

done 



[ 44 ] 

done in erecting and endowing monasteries, it was 
with difficulty that he could obtain a burying place 
in one of them. For history relates, that when 
this famous monarch was about to be interred in 
the abbey church of Caen in Normandy, which he 
himself had founded, a certain person forbad the 
burial, because the ground where the church stood 
was his. And accordingly William's son, Henry, 
who was present, was obliged to make this man 
satisfaction before the corpse could be buried. "^ 

Matilda, the w^ife of William, also gave to the 
abbey some lands at Garsdon.f This benefactress 
has been celebrated for her virtues by historians, 
ancient and modern. William of Malmesbury 
speaks in the highest terms of her prudence and 
modesty: J and Mr. Andrews represents her, as 
a pattern of goodness and industry to the ladies of 
every age. 

Several other personages made large grants to 
this monastery. Indeed, before the conquest, it 
appears from that part of Edward the Confessor's 
charter, (which is contained in the Appendix to 
this work) that the manors belonging to the abbot 
consisted of three hundred and thirty hides of land, 
nearly equal to forty thousand acres, if we reckon 
one hundred and twenty acres to an hide. 

The abbey which was thus richly endowed, 
was built in the form of a cross. A very stately 
structure. 



* Will, of Malmef. f Reglfter-book of the abbey. 

^ «< Prudentis fpeculum, pudoris culmen." 

William 



f 45 ] 

William of Worcester, in the reign of henry vx< 
travelled through several parts of Eng- 
land; was at Malmesbury, and measured this 
church. These were the dimensions, according to 
his manuscript, preserved in Bennet-college libraryj 
in the University of Cambridge:* 

" The length of the whole church of the mon- 
astery of St. Aldhelm of Malmesbury, with the 
choir, contains one hundred and seventy-two of 
my steps, and its breadth forty-two steps. 

" The length of the chapel at the ea$t end, de- 
dicated to the blessed Mary, is thirty-six steps; 
the breadth of the same chapel fourteen steps. 

"The length of the cloisters every way. Each 
side of the cloisters contains about sixty-four 
steps. 

" The breadth of the principal nave of the 
church beyond the wings is tw^enty-two steps, "f 

Leland, who in the reign of henry vm, 

visited Malmesbury, speaking of the 
abbey church, says, "It is a right magnificent 
thing; had two steeples. One that had a mightie 
high pyramis, and felle daungerously, in hominum 
memoria^ (in the memory of man) and sins was 
not re-edified; it stode m the midle of the tran- 



* This MS. has been printed by Dr. Nafmith. 
■f See Appendix Note X. for a copy of the original. — William's meafute by 
greffus or fteps, was about two feet to each ftep, fo that we may confider the 
*' whole length of the abbey church (the chapel included) to have been four 
hundred and fixteen feet, and the breadth eighty and upwards, that is, from out 
to out." But this mode of mcafurement can fcarcely be depended upon as 
qiitc accyratcs 

F septum 



t 46 ] 

Septum of the chirch, and was a marke to al the 
countrie aboute. The other yet stondith, a greate 
square toure at the west ende of the chirch."* 

The appearance which the abbey church ex- 
hibited, " about the middle of the xvii century,'* 
may be seen from a draught in Dugdale's Monas-^ 
ticon.'l' It is judged, that about a third part of 
the original fabric was then standing. 

Willis, describing the abbey church in its com- 
plete state, says, *' That it consisted of a very 
spacious body, with a fine western front and 
tower; J had a large steeple in the middle, § a cross 
ile,|| choir, &c* The steeples were replenished 
with several bells; no less than ten (as the inha- 
bitants informed me) hanging together in the 
middle tower, and two in the western.^ On one 
of them was this inscription :— 

." Elysiam cceli nunquam conscendit ad aulam. 
Qui furat banc nolam Aldelmi scde beati."** 

Mr. Willis thinks this abbey church to have 

'?& Lei. Itin. vcl. il. p. 21. 
■f Monaft. Angl. vol. i, p. 49. — There is a better drawing (I hive been 
informed) in the Afhmolean Mufeum at Oxford, 

X The length of the nave was nearly one hundred and fixty feet, and its front 
about ninetyl It contained eighteen large pointed windows in the upper ftory, 
and the fame number of circular-headed ones in the fide aifles, befides a very- 
large rich window over the weftern entrance, and a fmall one on each fide, and 
was fupported by fixteen large, round columns. 

§ The fpire of this Iteeple, tradition fays, was fevcn yards higher than that 
of S alifbury. 

|] One hundred and fixty feet from north to fouth, 
f Appendix Note XI. 

** « In heaven's bleft manfioBS he ne*er fets his feet. 
Who fteals this bell from AldheUn's facred feat.^' 

been 



[ 47 ] 

been equal, if not superior, to most cathedrals in 
England.* 

Mr. Collinson observes, *' That Malmesbury 
abbey, from the plans, views, and descriptions be- 
fore its dissolution, and also from its present re- 
mains, appears to have been a most magnificent 
pile. The abbot's lodgings, hall, and principal 
gate-way, were remarkably grand, and the offices 
of vast extent. That the abbey, with the build- 
ings belonging to it, covered (as tradition saith) 
the space o^ forty -Jive ac7xs,'''\ 

This tradition may be deemed credible, when we 
consider not only the magnitude of the conventual 
church, and the abbot's mansion, but also the 
several spacious apartments for the use of the 
monks, and the great officers of the monastery ;{ 
and that such offices as the eleemosynaria or alms- 
house^ the sanctuary or place of protection^ the 
infirmary^ &c- in the larger monasteries, were dis- 
tinct structures. They had too officince or shops 
of bakers, weavers, tanners, shoe-makers, &c. and 
hospitia for entertaining strangers. Beside such 
appendages as ambulatories^ or places of exercise^ 
gardens, orchards, rabbit warrens, fish ponds, 
dove houses,^ they had frequently vineyards.^ — The 
fish ponds belonging to Malmesbury abbey were 

* Willis's Mitred. Ab. vol. i. p. 135. -|- Collin. Beauties of Brit. Antlq, 

X All fuch officers in large abbies had feparate apartments. Will. Cath=^ 
vol. ii. p. 264. 

^ The Natural Hiftory and Antiquities of Selborne, p. 4Z5« 
11 And* vol. i. p« 4.43* 

at 



[ 48 ] 

at the bottom of the hill, on which stands the 
building called the abbofs house. The dove-house 
was situate on part of that spot, which, to this day, 
is stiled the dove-yard. The vineyard appears, 
from William of Malmesbury, to have been that 
tract of land, which is contiguous to the south and 
west sides of the Worthys. He acquamts us, that 
a Grecian monk, named Constantine, quitting his 
own country, came hither, and that he was the 
person who planted it ; and that the vineyard con- 
tinued many years.* — The abbies had granges or 
farms, under the special care of persons denomi- 
nated Grangiarii.f Kfarm, a little way out of the 
town, near the road to Chippenham, was a grange 
that belonged to Malmesbury monastery.:]: 

The number of monks who resided in this ab- 
bey, of course varied at different periods. § 

The rule observed in it was that of St, Benedict, 



* Venit ad locum quidam Monachus Graecus, nomine Conftantlnus, caete- 
rum, unde oriundus incertum, neceflitas an voluntas domo, f)atriaque elimi- 
naverit. Hie primus autor vineae fuit, quae in colle monafterio ad aquilonem 
vicino fita, plures duravit annos. Will, of Malmef. dc vita Aldhelrai, Auxil- 
ColIe£l. for Wiltfh. MS. The fame writer, fpeaklng of tlie vale of Glocefter, 
fays, " It is more abundant in vineyards tiian any other part of England j 
and they produce great quantities of fweet, well-tafted grapes. Their wine 
IS by no means unpleafantly tart to the tafte, but is hardly inferior in fla- 
vour to that of France." And. vol. i. p. 230, I am informed, that there 
is a fpot near Glocefter, on the weftern fade of the city, which is now called 
<* the Vineyards.-* 

f Foibrooke. 

% MInifter's Accounts, 32d. Hen, VIU. Cowfold, in the county of Wilts, 
Augment Off, 

% Appendix, Note XII. 

^' Innocent, 



[ 49 ] 

'* Innocent, bishop, the lowest of the servants of 
God, to his beloved sons the abbot of the monas- 
tery of Malmesbury, and his brethren, both present 
and to come; dedicated to regular mode of living. 
It is meet, that those who choose a religious life, 
should be under apostolical protection; lest any 
rash intrusion should shake them from their pur- 
pose, or (which God forbid) lessen the strength of 
rehgion. Therefore, beloved sons in the Lord, we 
have graciously assented to your reasonable peti- 
tions, and taken the monastery of Malmesbury, 
in the diocese of Sarum, in which by divine ser- 
vice you are engaged, under our own and St 
Peter's protection, &c. ordaining, that the mon- 
astic order, which is instituted in the said mon- 
astery, (according to God, and the rule of St, 
Benedict) be there, and at all times inviolably 
observed."* 

Benedict, a native of Italy, was a man of 
piety and reputation for the a;ge he lived 
in. He instituted a new order of monks. 529 
From his rule of discipline, which has been often 
printed, we understand, that it was his intention to 
form an order, whose discipline should be milder 
than that of other monastic bodies. The members 
of it, during the course of a holy and peaceable 
life, were to divide their time between prayer, 
reading, the education of youth, and other pious 

* From Mr. Caley*s tranflatlon of the bull of Pope Innocent IV. plating to 

Malmefbury abbey. 

and 



[ 50 ] 

and iearned labours.* Most of the monasteries in 
the western part of Europe submitted to Benedict's 
disciphne.t ^^^ the monks having acquired im- 
mense riches from the Hberahty of the opulent, 
they became slothful, lewd, luxurious, and very 



Ignorant. 



927 

A. D« 
1084 

A. D. 

1098 



Arose an order of monks, who were 
called Clugniacs.:}: 

An order denominated the Carthusian, 
was founded. § 

The Cistertian order began. || These, and 
other orders followed the rule of St. Bene- 



* Annales Ordln. Benedift, torn. i. -f Moflieim, vol. i, p. 449. 

^ As the Latin monks had entirely loft fight of all fubordination and dlf- 
cipline, Odo, a noble frank, the fecond abbot of Clugni, is faid to have 
completed the plan for their reformation, begun by his predeceflbr. This new 
difcipline (though the additional rites were infignificant) was in a fhort time 
generally received iuto the European convents. Id. vol. li. p. 211, William, 
Earl of WarreH, fon-in-law to King William the Conqueror, firft brought thefe 
monks Into England, and built their firft houfe at Lewes, in Suflex, about 1077. 
Tanner's Notit. Monaft. Pref. p. 14. 

y Bruno was the founder of this fociety; a canon of the cathedral of 
Rheims,in France. This zealous ecclefiaftic, who could not bear thediflblutc 
manners of his archbifliop, Manafle, retired from his church with fix of his 
companions, and fixed his refidence near Grenoble, in Dauphinej the difmal 
fpot was called Chartreux, from whence is derived the name •' Carthufian."— 
Moih. vol. ii. p. 309. Henry II. founded at Witham, in Somerfet, the firft 
houfe the Carthufians had in England. Tan. Pref. p. 8. 

{] Ciftertians, fo called from Ciftertium or Cifteaux, in the bifhopric of 
Chalons, In France. Robert Moleme was the founder. Having employed his 
moft zealous efforts In vain, to oblige his monks to obfervewith more exadlnefs 
the rule of St. Benedift, he, with about twenty monks, feparated from the 
reft, and laid the foundation of this famous order. As St. Bernard (whofe 
influence through all Europe over people and princes was aftonifhingly great) 
chiefly contributed to the fpreadlng of this order, the Ciftertians in feveral 
places were diftinguiihed by the title of " Bernard] ns." Mofh.vol. ii. p. 306, 406. 

They 



[ 51 ] 

diet, to which they made certain alterations.* 
The discipHne of the Carthusian and Cistertian 
orders was extremely severe, f 

Novices, or persons who entered a religious house, 
for the purpose of becoming monks, were put under 
the tuition of the aged. None usually were to be 
admitted as monks until they had reached their 
eighteenth year, according to canons, though 
about fifteen was the most usual time, yet great 
variations existed in this respect; and they were 
to pass a year of probation and instruction before 
the ceremony of profession took place. At the 
appointed season, the novice to be professed, after 
private prayer, went to the chapter, requesting the 
society of the house. This being granted, the 
abbot, or prior, holding his hands between his own, 
he took the oaths upon the missal, J whereby he 
solemnly bound himself to po'verty, • constancyy 
and obedience. He then carried the missal to the 
altar, a religious .service was performed, and the 
dress of the order delivered to him.§ In the Be- 
nedictine order, it was thus : — The convert was led 
into the church, and the psalm Miserere was sung ; 
after which followed appropriate prayers; then 

'They came into England in 1128, and had their firft houfe at Waverley, in Surry^ 
Tan. Pref. p. 16. 

* The orders of Grandmont, Savigni, and Tlron. Mofh. vol, ix* p. 309. 
Tan* Pref. p. 15* 

f Appendix, Note XIII. 

X Or mafs -book, containing the fervice ufed in the Romiih church at the 
telebration of the facrament. 

§ Dug. Pref. Monaftt vol. i* vol. iiy p. 500. 

such 



[ 52 ] 

such as were suitable to the benediction of the 
habit, and to putting off the secular, and assum- 
ing the monastic one. This was succeeded by a 
particular prayer, and the kiss of peace being given 
by all, he continued in silence till the third day.** 

Tlie monks were required to devote the principal 
part of each day to the performance of religious 
services, distinguished by the following names : — 

Mattins, This service began about twelve, or 
at one o'clock in the morning. 

Lands. At three. After which they returned 
to the dormitory. f 

Prime, At six. 

TJmds, At nine.:}: About this part of the day 
the monks assembled in the chapter-house, to trans- 
act the business of the convent. The prior hav- 
ing proclaimed " Loquamur de or dine nostro^''' or, 
" Let us speak of the affairs of the order." Here- 
upon, complaints against delinquents were brought 
forwards, or they voluntarily acknowledged them, 
soliciting pardon, or offering penance, &c. 

Sixths^ or the service of the sixth hour fol- 
lowed ; after which they proceeded to the cloister 
to study, to transcribe, or to illuminate. § 



* Foftrooke's Brit. Monachifm, vol. lu Novices, where all the fwins of 
profefiion at large, 

\ Some are fald to have fpent the Interval in private prayer, Netley Abbey, 

% According to fome, at eight. 

§ This conCfted In beautifying a work with pictures and Initial letters of 
tarlous defcrlptlons* 

Nones. 



[ 53 ] 

Nones. At mid-day"^ another service was sung. 
They then went to the refectory to dine. A psahn 
was chanted, prayers and grace were said, &c. 

Vespers commenced immediately after dinner. 
This being conchided, they proceeded to the 
cloister to read, or to the dormitory to sleep. 
About ^vt o'clock they met again in the refectory 
to sup; a religious conference followed, which 
lasted until the office called Coinplin began, about 
six in the evening. f Soon after they retired to 
their respective beds. On these they took their 
rest without undressing themselves. J 

On Sundays the monks preached. Their ser- 
mons were composed of a strange medley, and de- 
livered with various gesticulations. § 

With respect to the Abbot or Head of such a re-» 
ligious house, he was to be chosen by the society 
for the merits of his life and learning. In the 
thirteenth century, skill in glossing the scriptures, 
transcribing, illuminating, || chanting, and know- 

* Twelve o'clock was anciently devoted to Sixths, and three to Nones.— 
Bingh. Antiq. 

-f- Of the feveral canonical hours, fee Brit. Monachifm, parti* 

X Netley Abbey, 

§ Fofbrooke, from Willis's Cathedr, Ichnogr. Wart, Geft* Roman. 

jl Adorning books with piftures, and letters of divers colours, was a branch 

of miniature painting, followed by the monks with much fuccefs. The figures 

were wrought with a wonderful exaftnefs of finifliing, and the materials ufed 

were fo durable, that their miflals ftill dazzle our eyes with the brightnefs of 

their colour, and the fplendour of their gilding. This was a afeful, as well 

as curious art. From manufcripts thus illuminated, that indefatigable and 

judicious antiquary, M. StrutC, has produced portraits of the earlier kings of 

England, and views of the buildings, and alfo reprefented the cuftoms and raaa- 

ners of our anceftors.—And. vol, i. p. 259* and vol, ii. p, J171, 

G ledge 



[ 54 ] 

ledge of the rules of St. Benedict, were esteemed 
as requisite qualifications for one of that order.* 
Part of the duty of the abbot consisted in giving, 
from time to time, instructions and admonitions 
to the members of the convent 

The abbots of some monasteries were subject to 
the authority of the bishops; but others were 
independent. f Of the latter was the abbot of 
Malmesbury; who was one of the twenty-fiv6 
fixed upon for parliamentary abbots by 
EDWARD ni.^. xhese dignitaries wore mitres, exer- 
cised episcopal jurisdiction within their respective 
limits, gave the solemn benediction, and had seats 
and votes in the House of Lords. § Such abbots 
lived in great state : they kept public tables, || and 
had no small number of considerable officers be- 
longing to their houses. 

Of the principal officers were, 

The Prior and Sub-Prior, who had a share in 
the government of the monks; the former super- 
intended the concerns of the monastery when the 
abbot was absent. 

The Cellarer or house-steward.^ 

The Almoner, who had the oversight of the alms, 
which were every day distributed to the poor. 

* Foibrooke, from Wart, Hift. EngU Poetry, vol. i, p, 446, 
•{- Spelman. 
X Fuller's Church Hiftory, book vi. p. 292. Appendix, Note XIV. 
Tan. Pref. p. 25. j| Fofbrooke, from Lynd. Oxf. ed. p. 209, 

f An officer of great confequence in feme houfcs j the cellarer of Ely go- 
verned the city. Camd. Brit. 

The 



[ 55 3 

The Pitancier, who had the care of the pittanceSj 
which were an allowance of bread, beer, &c. upon 
particular occasions, over and above the common, 
provisions.* 

The Chamberlain, who presided over the dormi- 
tory, and provided for the monks part of their 
clothing, f — Among the officers mentioned in the 
list of pensions, assigned to the abbot and monks 
of Malmesbury, at the dissolution of monasteries, 
are the Stexvard of the Lands and Chamberlain^ 
the Frior, Sub-Prior, Tierce-Prior, Pitancier, 
and the Stexvard to the Abbot. 

These dignified ecclesiastics had their country 
residences, with the addition of parks on the con- 
vent estates. J Coxvfolde Park, now called Cole 
Park, in this neighbourhood, was one of the parks 
of the abbot of Malmesbury. § We find, that at 
this park, Henry VIII. after the dissolution, kept 
a stud, II and came into the neighbourhood to 
hunt. That stud, we are led to consider, as having 
belonged to the abbot; for as the mitred abbots 
resided sumptuously in their monasteries, so when 
they travelled their attendants were very nume- 

* GloiT, to Kennett's Parochial Antiquities. 

+ IngulphI Hiftoria, p. 49s* Tan. Pref. p. 519, 30. The menial offices, 
principally thofe of agriculture, were performed by the fratres converH, (or lay- 
brothers) who devoted therafelves to the fervlce of the religious. Fofbrooke, 

X Lei. Itln. vol. vili. p. 35* 

§ Minift. Accounts, 32d Henry VHI. From Mr. Caley's MS» Alfo, 
Lei. Itln, 

jj Minifter's Account?, &c. 

rous,* 



L S6 ] 

i'ous,* and their equipage pompous. Sometimes 
they rode with such a retinue, that we are told, 
their train resembled the triumphal processions 
of Csesar.t 

Wickliife, the first celebrated English reformer^ 
ABOUT began to attack this conventual magnifi- 
^3 ^ cence. lie had been chosen by the se- 
culars, head of a college, founded at Oxford, for 
the scholars of Canterbury; but the newly ad- 
mitted monks resolved to prefer a regular to that 
dignity, and the contests rose to such a height^ 
that Wickliffe and the seculars appealed to Pope 
Urban V. who obliged him to resign. He retired 
to the living of Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, and 
became a warm opponent of the church of Rome. 
He was incessantly persecuted, but received pro- 
tection from the Duke of Lancaster, and others of 
exalted rank. He is represented as a man of great 
piety, and who, by dint of merit, had obtained 
the highest academical honours. His efforts for 
reformation were so successful, that Knighton 
affirms, more than half the people of England 
embraced his doctrine. J Thus, monachism espe- 
cially, experienced a fearful shock. At different 
periods, a great number of religious houses were 

* The abbot of Glaftonbury, when he went abroad, was attended by up- 
wards of *' one hundred perfons," ColHnfon's Hiilory, &c. of Somerfet, 
vol. ii. p. 256. 

-f- Caballis ftlpati Caefarls trlumphos nobis referunt. Tho. More ad Mg^t, 
Porp. annexed tothe MoriaeEncom. Erafm. p. 516, Fofbrooke. 

f Noorthouck, Andrews, vol. i. p. 43Z. 

suppressed ; 



[ 57 1 

suppressed; till at length, all the monastic in- 
stitutions, whose pomp and splendour had for a 
long season dazzled the eyes of the populace, were 
overthrown hy the potent hand of the resolute 
Henry VIIL 

This monarch professed to have scruples, re- 
specting the lawfulness of his marriage with his 
brother's widow, Catharine of Arragon. He in 
vain solicited the Pope for a divorce. Whatever 
was the King's real motive, whether scruples of 
conscience, reasons of state, dislike to the person 
of the Queen, or his love of Anne Boleyn; be these 
things as they may, it seems, that most of the 
foreign universities (having been consulted, by 
the advice of Doctor Cranmer) gave it as their 
opinion, that the marriage was inconsistent with 
the divine law. 

The sentence of divorce was pronounced 
by Cranmer, between Henry and his Queen.* 15^3 

As soon as the news reached Rome, the Pope 
passionately annulled Cranmer's sentence. In re- 
turn, an act was passed a. ©, 
for abolishing the Pope's power in England; 
and an oath was enjoined, whereby all persons 
were obliged to swear, that they acknowledged 
the King as supreme head of the English church. f 
The monks and friars being strongly attached to 
the Pope, were very open in their invectives 



^ And. vol. ii» p« z66, -f Kimb. p, 237. And. p. 26S. 

against 



[ 58 ] 

against the King,* and shewed themselves utter 
enemies to his supremacy, and to all the statutes 
made against the Pope's authority, f 

Henry being resolved to suppress the monas- 
teries, J Cromwell, Earl of Essex, remarkable for 
the extremes of condition he experienced, § M^as 
appointed by the King vicegerent of ecclesiastical 
affairs, with full powers to visit and examine the 
abbies, priories, &c. He, and the other commis- 
sioners, on making a strict inquiry into the con- 
duct of the monks and nuns, discovered scenes of 
lewdness, &c. A long course of licentious living, 
had stifled, in some, all sense of shame. || The re- 
port of the commissioners induced the parliament 
A. D. to decree the dissolution of all the smaller 
*53«5 monastic foundations. The estates an4 
effects of such religious houses were adjudged to 
the King.^ These proceedings occasioned insur- 
rections, but happily they were crushed without 
much bloodshed.^* The dissolution of the lesser 

* Ibid. Peyto, a friar, who preached before the King, told him, that the 
dogs would lick his blood. 

f HumeJ- i Goldfmlth. 

§ He was the fon of a blackfmithj became one of Cardinal Wolfey's do- 
medics j was introduced to the notice of the King, and raifed by Henry even 
to the next rank after the royal family. Admitting, that in his very exalted 
ftate, he was fometimes defpotic, yet he appears to have been a man of in- 
tegrity and gratitude. He ventured his fortune and life for his patron, Wolfey. 
And,, vol. ii. p« 284. 

IJ The prior of Maiden-Bradley owned, that he had already provided for 
feven of his children from the goods of his priory. He produced a Papal dif- 
penfation for keeping a concubine. Id. p. 27c. 

5 Burnetts Hiftory, &c. vol. i. p. 223. ** And. vol. ii. p. 274. 

abbies 



[ 59 ] 

abbies were intended, as a prelude to that of the 
greater. Accordingly, upon any vacancies in the 
government of these convents, care was taken to 
fill them with such persons as were disposed to 
assist in their suppression. Another visitation 
was appointed. This brought to light additional 
proofs of that shocking depravity which prevailed 
in the convents, particularly at Battle Abbey, in 
Sussex, and Christ Church, Canterbury. *" Beside 
enormities, the visitors discovered frauds prac- 
tised by the monks in regard to relics and images. 
At Reading, an one-winged angel was shewn, 
which the monks pretended had brought from 
Judea the very spear that had wounded our Sa- 
viour. The visitors found, that the same kind of 
machinery used in puppet shows, was applied by 
the monks, to cause the images of our Saviour, 
the Virgin Mary, and other saints, to move, and 
nod, and turn the head, which the deluded people 
imagined to be the effect of a divine Power, f But 
it ought to be noticed, that profligate manners, 
&c. did not universally disgrace the convents. — - 
Lord Herbert says, that some societies behaved so 
well, that their lives were not only exempt from 
notorious faults, but their spare time was employed 
in writing books, painting, carving, &c. J And 
Mr. Gyffard, one of the visitors, declared on be- 
half of the house of Woolstrop, that there were 

* Id. p'l 178. ' -j- Kimber, Andrews, 

t Hift. of the Life and Reign of Henry VHI. 

none 



[ 60 ] 

none belonging to it, but what did engage in tlie 
fore-mentioned and similar exercises.* Still, this 
was not deemed a sufficient reason for suffering 
any of them to remain. Many abbots Avere pre- 
vailed upon (either by threats or promises) to give 
up their convents. When other methods failed, 
recourse was had to compulsion, as in the case of 
the abbots of Colchester, Reading, and Glaston- 
bury; who, persevering in their resistance, were 
accused of high treason, and executed. The abbot 
of Malmesbury was one, who peaceably resigned 
his charoe. 

The number of religious houses suppressed, 
amounted to sir hundred and forty-three monas- 
teries^ ninety colleges, two thoiisaiid three hundred 
and seventy-four chauntries and chapels, and one 
hundred and ten hospitals. Their annual value, 
as given in before the suppression, when the rents 
were low, Avas 152,5171- ISs, lOd.; but their real 
value was supposed to be 1,600,000/. The plate, 
furniture, &c. belonging to these houses, like- 
wise rose to a prodigious sum. From this fund, 
six new bishoprics were erected, viz. Chester, 
Glocester, Peterborough, Oxford, Bristol, and 
Westminster ; which last ceased to be a bishopric 
after its first bishop, and was changed into a dea- 
nery, &c. The colleges of Christ Church, at 
Oxford, and the Holy Trinity, at Cambridge, were 
founded ; also, in both the universities, professor- 

^ And. voI« ii. p. 28^. 

ships 



[ 61 ] 

ships of divinity, law, physic, and of the Hebrew 
and Greek tongues. Moreovei', pensions were al- 
lowed to several of the abbots, and to the monks 
and nuns.* 

The parliament confirmed to the King a^©- 
the rich seizures he had made, and his dis- ^ 
tribution of the profits. f 

A bill was brought in • a. o. 

for suppressing the Knights of St. John of 
Jerusalem, or Knights Hospitalars,;]: and passed in 
a short time ; and hereby all their revenues were 
given to the King.§ , 

The stoppage of the wonted hospitality and 
charity of the abbies, was displeasing to the public 



* Klmb. p. 239. And. ibid. Tan. Pref. p. 39* -f- And, ibidi 

!j[ This order took its name from an hofpltal built at Jerufalem, for the ufe 
of fick and needy pilgrims, comting to the Holy Land to vifit the fepulchre of 
Chrift. The hofpital was dedicated to St. Joha the Ba;ptlft* This inftitutiori 
was before what is called the Holy War, Several devout perfons, of both faxes, 
coming as pilgrims to Jerufalem, refolved to continue there on this charitable 
account, and fubfift on fuch fupplieS to themfelvee, arid the difeafed pilgrims 
• they took care of, as the bounty of well difpofed Chriftians thought fit to fend 
them. Their care not being confined to any particular feft of Chriftians, nor 
even to Chriftians tliemfelves, they were prote£led, when Jerufaieni was in the 
hands of the Saracens. After the Chriftians were mafters of Jerufalem, they 
became diore known for the great help they afforded the fick and wounded 
/bidiers } and had grants and donations, both in money and lands, all over 
Chriftendom ; by which means they were encouraged to form themfelves into 
a regular corporation, and foon after to ereft that corporation into a military 
order, and to hire foldiers to fight under their banner, for the defence of the 
holy fepulchre and chriftianity. On their being driven out of the Holy Land, 
as they fettled chiefly at Rhodes, they received the appellation of «* Knights of 
Rhodes j" and upon the lofs of Rhodes, having the ifland of Malta given them 
by the Emperor Charles V. they were called ** Knights of Malta." — Collinf, 
'i'ol. ill. p. 97. Tan. Pref. p, 24. 

^ Burners TJift. of tht Reforma^on, vol. u p. 267, 

H in 

1 



I 62 3 

in part. To induce the people to be quiet, it Avaa 
signified, that in consequence of the great supplies 
issuing from the sale of the monasteries, they 
should not be charged for the future with subsidies, 
loafts, or common aids. And to content the nobi- 
lity and gentry, he sold them the abbey lands, at 
an easy rate. Many of Henry's subjects, through 
Luther's writings, &c. were become friends of the 
reformed religion, and on that account approved 
the suppression of the monasteries. 

Here we may observe, that Henry, though quite 
averse from the doctrine of the refoimers, yet, by 
overthrowing the monasteries, greatly promoted 
the cause of the reformation."^' We are told, that 
this prince, after he had brought general ruin on 
the religious houses, founded a convent, and be- 
queathed large sums, to be expended in masses for 
the repose of his souLf 

When we consider not only the evils already 
specified, but, that the monasteries were privileged 
places for affording protection to the worst of 
transgressors, J the suppression of such houses may 
be supposed to meet our full approbation. At the 
same time, we must confess, that this undertaking 
was attended with circumstances, which reflect no 
small disgrace upon some concerned in it. The 
visitors were charged with peculation. § Learning 
suffered a great loss, in consequence of the libraries 

* Appendix, Note XV. f And. vol. ii. p, 30a. 

:J Appendix, Note XVI* i And. p. aSit 

which 



[ 63 ] 

which were then wilfully and basely destroyed* 
*' It appears, that at Maimesbury, all music books, 
accompt books, &c. were covered with old manu- 
scripts; and the glovers in the town made great 
havock with them : gipves, no doubt, were wrapt 
up in many good pieces of antiquity. The inha- 
bitants even used the manuscripts which came 
from the abbey, instead of bungs and corks, for 
stopping up their vessels."* 

The antiquarian also, may be ready to regret 
the demolition of so many beautiful specimens of 
ancient architecture. But this the reformers 
deemed necessary, in order to render the re-esta- 
blishment of monasteries more difficult, in case 
of an alteration in the state of affairs. — Amidst 
the general devastation, Maimesbury conventual 



* From Mr. Aubrey's MS. in the Affimolcan Mufeum, at Oxford— commu* 
nicated by Mr. Britton . 

Bale, who was made blihop of Oflbry, in Ireland, by Edward VI, and was 
obliged to fly to Holland, on the acceffion of Queen Mary, for his oppofitioa 
to Popery, will hardly be fufpefted of exaggerating the matter, when he fays, 
** That a great nombre of them whych purchafed thofe fuperftycyoufe manfyons 
(the nrtonafteries) referved of the lybrary bokes, fome to fcoure their candle- 
ftycks, and fome to rubbe their bootes, fome they fold to the grofiers and fope" 
fellers, and fome they fent over fee to the bookebynders, not in fmall nombre, 
but at tymes whole fhyppes full, to the wonderinge of foren nacyons* Yea* 
the univerfities of this realme are not all clere in this deteftable faft." Hs 
adds, « I know a merchantman, whych fhall at this tyme be namelefijb, that 
boughte the contentes of two noble lybrares for 40 /hillings pryce, a ihame it 
Is to be fpoken. This ftuffe hath he occupyed in the ftede of graye paper by 
the fpace of more than thefe ten years, and yet he had ftore ynough for as many- 
years to come: a prodlgyoufe example is this, and to be ibhorrcd of all men, 
who love their nacyon as they fhould do,"— -Dugdalc's Monaft. Abridg. Pref. 

Church 



[ 64 ] 

Church was spared, by means of Mr. Stiimpe, a 
very rich clothier. Leland informs us, that " This 
Stumpe was the chef causer and contributer to 
have the abbey chirch made a paroche chirch. 



"# 



* LcUItin. Appendix, Notes XVII. and XVIII, 



SECTION IIL 



[ ^5 ] 



SECTION III 



A Description of the Remaifis of the Abbe]/ 
Church, — The several Parts appear to have been 
constructed at Peiiods very distant from each 
other. 



CASUALTY, and the hands of violence, as 
well as time, have made great ravages in 
this noble fabric. 

*^ About the close of the fifteenth century," 
as the inhabitants informed Leland, the *very 
lofty spire that stood in the middle of the transept 
fell down. "^ It doubtless produced dreadful de- 
vastation in regard to the cross ile, and the 
eastern members of the edifice. | The tower, at 
thp west, (standing in Leland 's time J) was pro- 
bably in part battered down " in the civil wars." 
The cloisters too, we may suppose, were ^' then" 
(if not before) totally demolished. § 

* Lpl, Itin, f Appendix, Note XIX, % Lei, Itin. 

§ In digging for flone in a garden adjoining the north-weft end of the 
church, feveral years ago, the workmen came down upon a pavement of fquarc 
ftained tiles. Very lately the fpot has been re-examined, and a quantity of 
thefe curious tiles difcovered. They are glazed, ornamented with rofes, the 
flower-de-luce, &c. and heads. The cloifters being iituated on the north, 
fide of the nave, this may be deemed part of its ** Mofaic" pavement, (or as 
an antiquarian would rather denominate it) <*encaufticj" which fucceeded 
the *< Mofaic," ftriftly fo called. The monks kept kilns for making tiles. 
There \% a particular account of fuch tiles iij Dallaway's Heraldi* Inquiries. 

What 



i 66 2 

What exists of the abbey church, may be 
considered as about one-fourth of the building 
in its perfect state. — On approaching the eastern 
side of the ruin, the first part we come to is the 
centre of the transept, where formerly stood the 
lofty spire. It was supported by four arches: 
two of these are yet complete, viz. the arch which 
led into the northern side of the transept, and 
the arch which opened into the nave. These 
arches are about fifty-six feet in height, and 
twenty-one in width. The abbey church, at pre- 
sent, consists only of a part of the nave and side 
iles: it is sixty-six feet in height, one hundred 
and ten in length, and sixty-eight in breadth, 
in the clear, or eighty, the thickness of the walls 
included. — From the outside of the nave down 
to the iles rise ornamental pinnacles, from Avhich 
spring flying buttresses; and the walls beneath 
have buttresses. There is a relic of the circular 
arch of the grand western entrance. The pillars 
are round and plain from the base to the capital, 
and here commences elegant sculpture. It has 
a few bass-reliefs remaining, in good preserva- 
tion. One of the figures, a sagittary, has been 
particularly admired by the antiquarian. On the 
southern side of the nave are two porches; the 
outer is a deep Saxon arch, measuring from the 
centre of its front to the inner porch eleven feet, 
its, width twenty, and its height about eighteen. 
This porch is very magnificent: it has eight 
mouldings, ornamented with a variety of sculp- 
ture, 



[ 67 ] 

tiire, which begins at the base, and continues 
round in a regular sweep to its opposite pedestal, 
without capital or any interruption. These mould- 
ings vary in breadth ; some are about ten inches, 
and others a foot and upwards. Theji7^st mould- 
ing- (which is contiguous to the door) has a wav- 
ing branch, with lateral tendrils. The second is 
covered with lozenges. The third exhibits histo- 
ries from the Old Testament. On the fourth the 
branch and tendril are repeated, but of a smaller 
size. The Jifth is a continuation of histories from 
the Old Testament. The sLvth has lozenges and 
tendrils interwoven. The se'venth exhibits histo- 
ries from the New Testament.''^ And the eighth 
is adorned with tendrils. — The celebrated Mr. 
Addison, (who was one of the members in parlia- 
ment for the borough of Malmesbury) on viewing 
this porch, declared, that it was the most complete 
work of the kind he had ever seen. The inner 
porch is also a Saxon arch: it is seventeen feet in 
length, twelve in width, and sixteen in height. 
On the sides of this porch are some small Saxon 
arches ; above th^se are placed stone statues of the 
twelve apostles, six on each side, with an angel on 
each side stretched over their heads. There is a 



* Some of the fcriptural fubjects arc. The creation of Adam and Eve, their 
trefpafs, and expulfion from Paradife.— Chrift and his Apoftles eating the Pafchat 
Supper, the crucifixion of Chrift, his burial, refurredlon, and afcenfion; and the 
defcent of the Holy Spirit on the apoftles.— -The hiftorkal fculpture confifts of 
about eighty « bafs-reliefs." Many of them are in good condition. Others are 
much defaced, efpecially thofe towards the bafe of the arch j it may therefore 
fee proper to hint, that the hlftory begins at the left of the fpeftator. 

room 



[ 68 ] 

room above the porches, said to have been the 
school-room belonging to tlie abbey. The im- 
mediate entrance into the church is nine feet in 
height, and five in width. It has three mouldings, 
similar to those in the outer porch; and above 
this portal seems to be a representation of the 
Deity on a throne, supported by angels. Just 
within this entrance (fixed in the wall, to the left) 
is a head, with a kind of crown on it; Catholics 
have been observed to treat this sculpture with 
great reverence; it is supposed to represent .our 
Saviour wearing the crown of thorns. On advan- 
cing, we perceive the nave to be separated from 
the side iles by massive, round columns, with plain 
.capitals, six in each rank. These columns support 
three rows of arches; the lowest and the highest 
somewhat pointed, and the central circular. Over 
one of the rows, on the southern side, a little stone 
structure projects from the wall, with an opening 
towards the body of the church, grated with iron 
bars. The vulgar opinion considers it as the monks' 
prison, in which the offender did public penance* 
One antiquarian says, that the design of it was for 
the abbot's household, from whence to view pro-. 
cessions. Another thinks, it was appropriated to 
the use of the abbot himself. The ribs of the 
groins in the vaulting of the church, are orna- 
mented with foliage and heads; this sculpture (in 
the judgment of Mr. Carter) is particularly ele- 
gant. The heads are supposed, by some, to repre- 
sent the personages who were benefactors to this 

monastery. 



I 69 "1 

monastery. The lower part of the altar piece is 
a solid wall, with a cornice, in which are carved 
griffins, dragons, and other grotesque figures.— 
This wall probably was the screen, which formerly 
separated the nave from the transept. In the 
centre of it is a trace of the door- way, which led 
into the transept. The seats in the chancel, on 
each side of the communion table, appear to have 
been the stalls, which belonged to the choir. In 
the middle of the church, at the left, as you go 
from the altar, are two seat doors, which have an- 
cient carving, greatly admired by the virtuoso; 
also, in a seat nearly opposite, the carving is 
equally, if not more curious. The monuments of 
Meyldulph, Aldhelm, and other renowned persons, 
buried in this church,^' have long since disap- 
peared. But, in a small enclosure, in the south- 
east corner of the church, is a tomb, with an effigy 
laid upon it, as large as life, in royal robes, and a 
lion at the feet. It is named '^ King Athelstan's 
Tomb." Yet, we are not to infer from hence, 
that Athelstan was interred in this part of the 
abbey church, since WilUam of Malmesbury af- 
iirms the contrary ;! and agreeable to the testi- 
mony of this early historian, I am informed, by 
the Rev. Mr. Bisset, the vicar of Malmesbury, that 
some years ago, he was present, when what is called 
Athelstan's Tomb was opened, and appearances 



* Here lies John Gifford, founder of St. Benedift-College and Glocefter- 
Hall, Oxford. Angl, Sacra. 

-{- See p. 40. 

1 indicated 



[ 70 J 

indicated that it was only a cenotaph. The late 
Dr. Mapson, of Tetbury, conjectured, that when 
the place of King Athelst^tn's interment, under the 
high altar, became ruinous, his monument might 
have been removed into that part of the church, 
where it now stands, in order to preserve it from 
the inclemency of the weather. The Doctor's con^ 
jecture is rendered the more probable by w^iat Mr. 
Warner has remarked. " There is (says he) a 
considerable resemblance between this sculpture, , 
and the figure of that monarch on the reverse of 
his famous seal, of which I have seen a cast from 
the original, in the possession of the late Gustavus 
Branden, esq;"'^' — Mr. Evelyn, son to the famous 
Evelyn, made drawings of King Athelstan's tomb, 
which were some time since shewed by Mr. Bryan 
to the Society of Antiquaries, f 

In Athelstan's chapel is the following epitaph, 
on Lady Marshall: 

** Stay, gentle passenger, and read thy doome. 
" I am, thou must be dead. — 

" In assured hope of a joyfull resurreccon, here rests 
deposited, all that was mortall of the religious and virtuous 
Lady Dame Cyscely Marshall, daughter of the Honourable 
Sir Owen Hopton, knt. late lieftenant of the Towre Royal J 

* Warner's Excurfion's from Bath, p. 229, 231. 
+ Auxil. Colleft. for Wiltfli. MS. 
X Buried at Stepney, September 26* 1591. His daughter Mary married 
WjUiam, the fourth Lord Chandos» She was burled at Stepney, Odlober 23, 
J 624.— Stepney Regifter. Lyfons's Envir. of LoBdon.--^His daughter Anne, 
married firft, Henry Lord Wentworth, of Nettlelbedj her fecond huiband was 
Sir W. Pope, the fifft Earl of Downe.— Gent. Mag. Nov. 1797. p. 919. 

the 



[ 71 ] 

the faythful, inodist^ arid loyall wife of Sir George Marshall, 
knt. Whether transcended in her more the ornaments that 
beautified a wife, a mother, a matrone, is still a question 
betwixte her all disconsolate husband, daughtef, servants, 
Onely this is agreed upon all hands, such were her perfec- 
tions in each state, that in vayne will any epitaph endeavour 
to delyneate them. What was her fayth, hope, charity, 
temperance, piety, patience, may (to better purpose) be 
expefted from the trump of an archangell in the day of God's 
generall retribuccon (retribution) then from the faynte, and 
flagging attribucons (attributions) of any particular penn.-— 
To close all, with her close thies two spirituall eiaculacons 
(ejaculations.) Miserere mei Deus, et Demine recipe animam 
meam. (Have mercy upon me, O God, and receive my 
soul, O Lord) were the wings, whereon the last breath of 
this turtle mounted towards heaven. To whose sweete me- 
mory her sad mate hath devoted this poor monument, which, 
— Oh, let no prophane hand violate. 

•* Emigravit 23 Apryll, Anno Salvat. 1625.'* 

The abbey register contains a curious memo- 
randum, relating to one whose remains were also 
deposited in this chapel. 

*' John Buclle, reputed to be a gypsie, deceased September 
21, 1657, at John Peryn's house, upon the Ffosse, in Shipton 
parish, in Glocestershire; and was buried in King Athel- 
stone's chapell by King Athelstone, and the Lady Marshall, 
within the abbie chuicch, at Malmesbury. This buriall was 
September 23, 1657. Howbeit, he was taken up again by 
the meanes of Thomas Ivye, esq; who then lived in the 
abbie, and by the desires and endeavoures of others, out of 
the said chappell was removed into the church yarde, and 
there was re-buried neere the east side of the church poorch, 
Oftober 7, 1657, in the presence of Thomas Ivye, of the 
abbie, esq; Pleadwell of Mudgell, esq; Rich, Whitmore, of 

Slaughter, 



[ 72 ] 

Slaughter, in the countle of Glocester, and Dr. Qui, of 
Malmesbury, with very many others.*'^ 

In the abbey church-yard are two epitaphs, 
which have attracted particular notice. 

The one merely as it commemorates the untimely 
and melancholy fate of a girl, named Hannah 
Twynnoy, in the year 1703. She was a servant at 
the White- Lion inn, where was an exhibition of 
wild beasts, and among the rest a very fierce tiger, 
which she imprudently took a pleasure in teasing, 
notwithstanding the repeated remonstrances of its 
keeper. One day, whilst amusing herself with this 
dangerous diversion^ the enraged animal, by an 
extraordinary effort, drew out the staple, sprang 
towards the unhappy girl, caught hold of her 
gown, and tore her to pieces. 

*« In bloom of youth she's snatch'd from hence, 
She had not room to make defence ; 
For tyger fierce snatch'd life away, 
And now she lies in a bed of clay, 
Until the resurrection day." 

The other epitaph relates to the afore-mentioned 
Doctor Abia Qui, a man of great eminence in his 
profession, who died in the year 1675. It is said 
to have been one of the early productions of Old- 
ham, the poet, who then lived in this neighbourhood. 

*' He by whose charter thousands held their breath, 
Lies here, the captive of triumphant death; 
If drugs, or matchlefs skill, Could death reclaim, 
His life had been immortal as \i\% fame.'''' 

^ Arpendix, Note XX' 

The 



[ 73 ] 

The several stiles of architecture used in the 
remains of the abbey church just described, shew 
that the different parts were the work of different 
periods; but still this (as Mr. Hearne hath ob- 
served) does not determine the exact time when 
each was constructed. 

The words of this eminent antiquarian are, 
*' Though the several distant periods, when dif- 
ferent modes of building for the purposes of reli- 
gion took place, (after that their characters were 
fully settled) be pretty clearly ascertained, yet, 
alterations and improvement having been gradu- 
ally made in the progress from one style of archi- 
tecture to another, it is not possible to fix the date 
of any building of the intermediate time precisely, 
from the form of its parts; because, we naturally 
may suppose such edifices had somewhat of the 
former manner, which was not grown obsolete, and 
somewhat of the latter^ which was not established; 
and if to this we add some chanp*es in the orio'inal 
form of antiquated buildings by repairs, the new^ 
facings of stone, and other accidental variations 
from the first plan, there needs no other argument 
to shew, how difficult it is to know the precise 
a^ra, in which the several discordant parts of this, 
or any other antient building were erected, with- 
out some-written document of absolute authority. 
But, however, it seems probable, that the remains 
of the circular arch of the western entrance into 
this church, as well as the great porch on the 
south side, whose members are so richly orna- 
mented 



[ 7-i ] 

merited with small bass-reliefs, are remaining mem- 
bers of the original stone structure; the building 
of which, it may be presumed, was begun in the 
\ P reign of King Edgar, soon after he granted 
974 his charter to this monastery." 
Admitting, that certainty cannot be attained in 
regard to the present point, yet, from some parti- 
culars on record relating to the abbey, and other 
circumstances, we may be able to judge with pro- 
bability as to the degree of antiquity to be ascribed 
to the respective parts of these majestic remains. 
It is signified in Edgar's deed, that the abbey 
church, built at his expence, was raised under the 
direction of a person excellently qualified for such 
an undertaking. According to the Saxon mode, 
it was doubtless a strong, edifice. Therefore, part 
of the zvalls of the lower story, some of the large 
solid pillars which support the body of the church, 
and the fragment of the old tower, may be cojisi- 
dered as members of the original structure. — We 
have seen, that Mr. Hearne deems the western and 
southern entrances, with their decorations, to be of 
the same high antiquity,^ 

* With refpeft Co the fouthern entrance, fome, indeed have been ready to 
conclude, that it is not a member of Edgar's ftrufture, but was eredled at a fub- 
fequent period, becaufe this porch covers a part of the wall of the church. In 
which was formerly a window. But an eminent archite£t and antiquarian, 
who lately examined it, fays, that the eaftern fide of the porch, which is of a 
prodigious thicknefs, has evidently received an addition Hnce it was firil con- 
ftrufted, probably for the fake of enlarging the fchool-room over it; fo that 
originally it flood clear of the window. Therefore, the prefent appearance is 
no proof againft the great antiquity of this entrance, and the admired fculpture 
•which adorns it. As there arc but few patterns of the ftate of fculpture in the 

early 



[ 75 ] 

Herman, (chaplain to King Edward the Con- 
fessor) who attempted to convert the abbey into 
a bishopric,* is said to have erected (at his ow^n 
expence) ** The Bell Tower, "f by w^hich, about 
probably, we are to understand the middle 
tower, as this contained a set of ten bells ; whereas 
the western tower had only two. Now the former 
was supported by four lofty arches; consequently, 
the tzvo noble arches that are yet standings at the 
east end of the nave, appear to have been built at 
this period. 

In the reio-n of King John, the premises of the 
abbey were extended ; J and it may be presumed, 
that some alterations were made in the church. 
Then probably were introduced the pointed arthes 

early ages, the fine fpecimens Malraefbury Abbey-church afFordS) mufl be no 
fmall gratification to the antiquarian. It may be thought ftrange by feme, 
that this elegant fculpture ihouid be confidered as executed at a period remark- 
abJe for ignorance. But, it is to be remembered, that very highly finl/hed 
works in gold and filver, were the produce even of the darkeft ages* St« 
Dunftan, who lived at the time Malnieibury Abbey-church was re-edified, had 
great fame in this branch of fculpture. Will, of Malmf. And, vol, i. p« 89, 
•* Appendix, Note XXT, 
■f Aujtil,. CoUcft. for Wiltfh, MS. from Lei. Colleft, vol! i. part, ii, p. 301* 
j; The caftle (which doubtlefs was greatly damaged in the contefls between 
King Stephen, and Henry of Anjou) was, by the permiffion of King John, 
razed for the convenience of the monks, that fo the abbey might be enlarged, 
which daily increafed in buildings and revenues. Camd. Britan. p. 97, This 
caftle ftood a little to the north-weft of the conventual church,* partly on the 
fpot at prcfent called ** The Abbey-Row." And here we may remark, that 
on the removal of the caftle, probably a rank of buildings was raifed for the ufe 
of the monks, or others conneded with the monaftery, and denominated <* The 
Abbey-Row," 

* The Bell inn, thus fituated, is filled in a deed « The Caftle-Houfc." 

blended 



[ 76 1 

Mended with the semi-circular, as seen in the lower 
story :^ and the upper story was also modelled 
agreeably to the taste of the age. Yet, we may 
suppose, that from veneration for antiquity, such 
parts of the fabric as were in good condition, were 
suffered to remain.! 

In the reign of Edward III. when the abbot 
became a peer of the reahn, the church appears to 
have received further considerable alterations and 
embeUishments ; as the handsome door-way near the 
northern transept, the large window in the loxver , 
story on the same side, the very lofty windoxv at the 
west end, ofxvhich there is only a relic, the windows 
in the tipper story, and other decorations zvithin 
and without, which answer to the stile of that age. 

In the reign of Henry VIII. it being settled for 
the abbey church to be appropriated to the use of 
the parish, the arch which opened into the eas- 
tern end of the nave was walled up, and thus was 
formed the present altar piece. The western end 
being ruinous, was enclosed considerably within 



* Such as differ in opinion from Mr. Hearne, in regard to the very great 
antiquity of the fculpture which adorns, the weftern and fouthern entrances, 
Xnay be inclined to think it was done in the reign of John, or in that of his 
father Henry II. for both thefe monarchs were banefailors to the abbey, fculp. 
ture flouriflied at this period, and the circular arch ^vas not fet afide. And. 
vol. i, p. 159. In Mr. Dallaway's Anecdotes'of the ArtS;, the porch of 
Malmelbury is particularized as a fine fpecimen of tiiat aera of the Saxon archi- 
tedure,, which immediately preceded the introdu<Sion of the next ftile. 

-f- In the upper ftory, to the fourth window from the e aft, are a number of 
large, circular Saxon ornaments, but weftward there are none. From hence 
(an antiquarian has obferved) we may judge, how far the old Saxon wall ex- 
tends, and what part has been rebuilt. 

the 



[ 17 ] 

the original entrance;* a "very large poinfedmn- 
dow was placed in the centre, with a buttress on 
each side, and a square structure was erected over 
this window, of which there is only a fragment. 
An antiquary apprehends, that the structure was 
intended to strengthen the end of the nave. But 
others have supposed, that it was a small tower for 
hells, and being shattered in the civil wars, from 
that time the inhabitants began to use for this 
purpose an adjacent steeple, which had belonged 
to the decayed church of St. Paul. — The two large 
windows in the lower story, on the southern side of 
the abbey-church, may also be considered as one 
of the alterations then made in the building, to 
render it more commodious for the performance 
of divine service. 



For the information of strangers who visit 
Malmesbury, it may be proper to observe, that 
from the approach to the town on the northern 
side, which is the Tetbury road, " the abbey- 
church is seen frowning in the pomp of massy 
architecture, on the brow of a hill, whose bank is 
beautifully covered with verdure. The lofty nave, 
with its milled west end, and the noble arch on 
the east, exhibit a scene grand and singular!" — 
From the rising ground, a little to the south-west, 



* Appendix, Note XXII. 

K the 



[ 78 ] 

'the majestic fabric is seen towering above the 
tops of the trees. — The road leading from Malmes- 
bury to Brinkworth, when you are about a mile 
from the town, aiFords a fine view of the soutl|- 
west part of this abbey-church. 



SECTION 



[ 79 ] 



SECTION IV. 

Some Account of the different Modes of Arcki- 
tecture used in religious Edifces, from the 
Time that the Sa.rons embraced Christianity — 
designed further to elucidate what respects 
Malmesbury Abbey-Church. 



BEFORE I speak of Saxon architecture, it 
may not be amiss briefly to notice the state 
of architecture among the Britons, previous to, 
and on the arrival of the Saxons. 

'Till the Roman invasion, the Britons seem to 
have been totally ignorant of architecture. But 
after they became subject to the Romans, they 
acquired a kno^yledge of this, and other arts con- 
nected with it. A chanp^e, which com- 
menced through the efforts of that excel- 80 
lent governor Julius Agricola. 

That the Britons, who were rovingly inclined, 
and wild, and therefore easily instigated to war, 
might become fond of a peaceful life, by tasting 
its pleasures, Agricola privately exhorted, and 
publicly assisted them to build houses, market- 
places, and temples; inciting them to exertion, 

bv 



[ 80 ] 

by commending the diligent, and reproving the ' 
slothful.'^ 

It is said, tliat the island was famous for the 
excellence of its architects, &c. at the close of 
** the third century;" but that architecture, &c. 

ABOUT be^-an to decline in Britain, and also in 
324 ° 

other Roman provinces, partly in conse- 
quence of the building of the city Constantinople, 
Avhich drew a number of the best artists from the 
west into the east.-f 

A. D. Britain being forsaken by the Romans, 
the Picts, and the Scots, in vast multitudes 
rushed in upon the inhabitants, plundered, and 
destroyed their towns and cities. The Saxons, 
from Germany, whom the Britons called in to 
their assistance, also spread devastation far and 
wide. Venerable Bede says, " That the island 
was so ravaged by the Saxons, or rather by the 
hand of God, using them as instruments of his 
righteous displeasure against the depraved Bri- 
tons,:}: that there seemed to be a continued flame 
from sea to sea; public and private buildings fell 
in one common ruin." Thus the Britons were 

* Ut (Britanni) difperfi ac rudes, eoque bello faclles, quleti et otio per 
voluptates affuefcerent : (Agrkola) — hortavi privatim, adjuvare publlce, ut 
templa, fora, domus exftruerent, laudando promptos, et caftigando fegnes, &c. 

\ Conftantine the Great, to ereft a lafting monument to his glories, em- 
ployed, on this occafion, the fubje£l wealth, and labour of the Roman world j 
for the conftrudion of the walls alone were allowed 2,500,000!. Gibbon. 

X Not only Bede, who was a Saxon monk, but aifo Gildas, a British monk, 
fpeaks of the great depravity of manners which prevailed at this time among 
the Britons, and confiders the dread calamities which befel them as divine 
judgments. Gild, de excidio Britanniae. qp'ain 



[ 81 ] 

again reduced to a state of ignorance in regard 
to the arts. 

Christianity, which had been generally re- 
ceived in Britain long before the Romans left it,* 
after having been persecuted by the Romans,'!' and 
utterly extirpated by the Saxons, as far as their 
dominion extended, J began to obtain an influ- 
ence over the Saxons themselves, by means of 
Ethelbert, king of Kent, who married ^ j,^ 
a Christian princess of France. § 57^ 

As the Saxons, at their arrival in England, 
knew little or nothing of architecture, doubtless, 
the earliest structures erected by them for Chris- 
tian worship were very homely : such as the first 
church at Glastonbury is said to have been, viz. 
'' That its walls were made of twigs, winded 
and twisted together. "|| When the Saxons be- 
came more skilful, the walls of their religious 
edifices were constructed of boards. This ^ „ 

Mi.% Urn 

mode of building was perhaps general to ^S"^ 
or beyond that period.^ But masonry ap- 

* Appendix, Note XXIII. 

\ Many fuffered martyrdom, of whom St. Alban was the firft, in the per* 
locution under Dioclefian. Kimb* 

+ It is very likely, that tLe monuments of the Britifh churches were de- 
flroyed by the Saxons wherever they came. Rapin, 

^ And, vol. i. p. 79. II Sammes. 

5 There was a time (fays Bede) when there was not a ftone church in the 
whole land, but the cuftom was to build them all of wood. Finan, the fecond 
bifhop of Holy-Ifland, or Lindisfarn, in Northumberland, built a church there 
A. D. 652, for a cathedral, which was not of ftone, but of wood, and covered 
with^-eeds, and fo it continued to Eadbert's t-ime, the feventh bifliop. 

pears 



[ 82 J 

pears to have been reviv^ed in England towards 
" the close of this century," chiefly through 
Wilfrid, and Benedict Biscop. These prelates 
visited Italy,* and are said there to have ac- 
quired architectural knowledge in a high degree. 
The magnificent cathedral of Hexham, in Nor- 
^^Q,jT, thumberland, was erected by Wilfrid: 
6y6 Weremouth Abbey, by Biscop.f The 
masons and other artists (we are told) were pro- 
cured from Italy, J &c. And this is very pro- 
bable; for in the reign of Alfred the Great, when 
that monarch had resolved to rebuild his cities, 
churches, and monasteries, which had suifered de- 
vastation from the Danes, his historian Asser says^ 
that he had a numerous multitude of artificers, 
collected fronj different nations, and many of 
them excellently skilled in their several arts. 

It has been held, that the first religious edifices 
of stone, built by Saxon artificers, consisted only 
of upright walls, without arches or pillars; and 
this is not unlikely ; since a long time elapsed, be- 
fore they appear to have had a taste for archi- 

* Will, of Malmef. de geft. Pontif. lib. Hi. p. 148. etfeq. 

+ And. vol. i. p. 89. 

^ As Malmelbury Abbey-church, built in the time of Aldhelm, the fecond 
abbot,* about A. D. 675, was very noted, it is probable that workmen from 
the Continent alfo raifed that ftnidure, and confequently that it was not bui]c 
of boards, (as is the opinion of fome) but was a ftone edifice. 

■^ See a lift of the abbots, particulars of the revenue of the monaftery, &c. 
io the Appendix, Note *•' XIV 

tecture. 



[ 83 ] 

tccture.* And when they liad acquired taste and 
skill, from an examination of such Roman build- 
ings in England as had escaped the common ruin, 
and by an intercourse with the masons, 8:c. from 
the continent, their productions (in what is called 
the Saxon style) were doubtless for a season quite 
unequal to the fabrics, which had been raised by 
the hands of foreign artists. f 

The distinguishing characteristics of the Saxon 
mode of building are, "very thick walls, massive 
pillar Sy xvith a kind of regular base and capital, and 
semi-circular arches over the doors, xvindows, &c. 

Respecting the origin of Saxon architecture. 
Bishop Warburton maintains, '' That when the 
Saxon kings became Christians, their piety con- 
sisted chiefly in erecting churches at home, and 
performing pilgrimages abroad, especially to the 
Holy Land ; and these spiritual exercises supported 
and assisted one another; for the most venerable, 
as well as the most elegant models of religious 
edifices, were theai in Palestine. From these the 
Saxon builders took the whole of their ideas, as 
may be seen in comparing the drawings, Avhich 
travellers have given us of the churches yet stand - 

* The Anglo-Saxon nobles fquandexed away their ample revenues in low 
and mean houfes. Will, of Malmef. 

-f- Agreeable hereto, an ingenious artift and antiquarian fays, that he has 
found the fculpture, in the remains of the moft early edifices, to be beft exe- 
cuted. St. Paul's, in London, having been confumed by fire, was rebuilt in 
1187, and the following year, on arches of ftonej * 3 wonderful work,* fay the 
authors of the day. The workmen employed in the bufinefs were procured 
from Framce. And. vol. i. p, 260. 

ing 



[ 84 ] 

itig in that country, with the Saxon remains of 
what we find at home." — But may we not reason- 
ably suppose, that the Saxon architects derived 
their knowledge from each of the sources specified, 
and that their own invention made additions. 

The mode of building used by the Normans in 
their religious edifices, for awhile after they had 
established themselves in England, is said nearly 
to have resembled that of the Saxons; was solid 
and plain. They sometimes, it seems, deviated 
from this rule, and adorned the capitals of their 
pillars with carvings of foliage and animals, and 
their columns were decorated xvith small half co- 
lumns united to them, and their surfaces orna- 
mented with spirals, squares, lozenge net work, 
and other figures, either engraved, or in relievo.^ 

The style of architecture which followed, had 
for its peculiar characteristic the pointed arch. In 
regard to the origin of this style, antiquaries have 
entertained different sentiments. 

Sir Christopher Wren asserts, ^hat the pointed 
arch was of Arabian extraction, and introduced 
into Europe by some persons returning from the 
Crusades. 

Bishop Warburton accounts for its rise thus — 
*' That when the Goths had conquered Spain, and 
the genial warmth of the climate, and the religion 
of the old inhabitants, had ripened their wits, and 
inflamed their mistaken piety, they invented what 

« Sculpture of this kind adorns the weft front of Malme/bury Abbey-church. 

is 



I 85 J 

is called the Gothic or Saracenic architecture.'* 
He adds, '' that this northern people, having been 
accustomed during the gloom of Paganism, to 
worship in groves, when their new religion re- 
quired covered edifices, they ingeniously contrived 
to make them resemble groves; and with what 
skill and success they executed the project, by 
the assistance of Saracen architects, appears from 
hence, that no attentive spectator ever viewed a 
regular avenue of well grown trees, intermixing 
their branches over head, but presently put him in 
mind of the long vista, through a Gothic cathe- 
dral. As to the form of the arch, how could it 
be otherwise than pointed, when the workmen 
were to imitate that curve which branches of tv/o 
opposite trees make by their insertion?" The 
conjectural opinions which abound in the works 
of this ingenious writer, are in general better 
adapted to amuse the fancy of the superficial read- 
er, than to satisfy the mind of the sober enquirer. 
Therefore we hope to be excused when we affirm, 
that a cursory review of the history of the art, 
will afford us a more natural method of accounting 
for the introduction of the leading peculiarities of 
the Gothic style. - We shall find that it was not 
the invention of one man, nor was it brought to 
perfection in the course of a single century; agree- 
able to the opinion of an ingenious artist,* who 
thus expresses himself: " Our pointed-arch style 



* J. Carter, Efq, F. A. S, 

L of 



[ S6 ] 

of architecture, 7iicknam€d Gothic, appears to have 
emerged by accident, and incidental changes in 
construction and method, and to liave arisen from 
the embers of the architecture in use among us, 
during the aera of the Saxons." This species of 
architecture made its first appearance towards 
the close of the reign of Henry II. For a 
time, some semicircular arches were retained, 
and mixed with arches which were only a little 
pointed and raised on short, solid, round co- 
lumns. But m the reign of Henry III. the 
circular arch gave place to the pointed, and 
the massive column m.ade way for the slender 
pillar.* The cathedral church of Salisbury be- 
gun early in his reign, and finished in the year 
1258, was entirely in this style. The beautiful 
peculiarities w^hich stamp the sacred edifices of 
the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, are the 
steeples with spiresj' and pinnacles ; the pillars 
formed of an assemblage of light columns; the 
lofty windows, sometimes towering to a point, 
sometimes (especially at the east and west ends of 



* This lighter Gothic ftyle of building partly owed its origin to a band of 
ingenious workmen, of various countries, who formed focieties under the 
blefling of the Roman pontiff, calling themfelves * Free Mafons.* They of- 
fered their fervices to opulent princes, and were much attached to the bountiful 
Henry, and to his magnanimous fucceflbr Edward I. Andr. vol. 1. p. 450. 

-|- It is probable that the fpire of Malmefbury church, which was of fuch a 
vaft height,* was erefted in the fourteenth century, in the reign of Edward III, 
or in that of ^vichard II. when the abbot received additional honours. t 

* See page 46. Note ^,. f Page 54. 

churches) 



r 87 



1 



churches) much enlarged, divided into several 
liglits by stone muUions, and always filled with 
glass stained with lively colours, to represent 
saints and martyrs, kings, queens, and benefac- 
tors.* 

Towards the close of the fifteenth century, be- 
gan the erection of the abbey church of Bath; the 
last building of any magnitude raised in this 
country, in a style purely Gothic. f 

At the end of the sixteenth century was erected, 
that small edifice Henry VII. 's chapel, adjoining 
to Westminster Abbey. It is a beautiful specimen 
of that height of elegance to which the Gothic 
order arrived, esteemed equal, if not superior to 
any thing of the kind in Europe. It ought to be 
mentioned, that foreign artists were called in to 
assist in executing the w^ork. Pietro Torregiano 
was retained by Henry VIII. to finish his fa- 
ther's tomb. J 

In the latter part of the reign of Henry VII. 
a new kind of low pointed arch grew much in 
use. It was described from four centres, was 
very round at the haunches, and the angle at 
the top was ver}^ obtuse. From this time Gothic 
architecture began, to decline, and a strange mix- 
ture of the orders ensued, in the age of Eliza- 
beth, and of James L 

* And. ibid. 

•f- Monthly Review enlarged, for Aug. 1800, p. 426. 

+ And. vol. j, pt. ad. p, 340. 

L 2 The 



[ 88 ] 

The whimsical Chinese style produced by the 
ill-judged combination of the classic orders of ati* 
tiquity, Avith the Gothic, paved the way for the 
revival of the Grecian style in its purity, by the ce- 
lebrated Inigo Jones, in the reign of Charles I. 
since which period, the pointed-arch style has 
never had its excellencies so fairly appreciated, 
or its properties so well investigated, as at the 
present time, 

** So fell the monkish fane, and we might deem, 
Were here and there not ivied ruins spread, 

It ne'er had been, or but a first sleep's dream ; 
It fell, and doomed to hide her banish'd head. 

For ever Gothic architecture fled, 

Forewarn'd she left in one most beauteous place,* 

That much might of her ancient fame be said, 
Her pendent roof, her window's branchy grace. 
Pillars of cluster'd reeds and tracery of lace."t 

The foregoing sketch of the progress of Gothic 
architecture plainly shews that its fundamental 
principles were slowly developed, and that it was 
only after a variety of unsuccessful attempts, that 
the few perfect specimens of the art which we pos- 
sess^ were achieved. 

An examination of the construction of those 
buildings which were raised before the Gothic 
style was brought to perfection, (in which num- 
ber Malmesbury Abbey is included) might afford 

■5f Henry VII.'s chapel, at Weftminfler. 
+ Fofbrooke's fconomy of Monaftic Life, Part iii. 

con- 



[ 89 j 

considerable assistance, in tracing the origin of 
its leading peculiarities. 

, The pointed-arch, which is the principal feature 
in this mode of architecture, has given rise to a 
variety of conjectures. The following remarks of 
an ingenious writer in the Monthly Review, are 
not merely conjectural ; therefore no apology can 
be required for their insertion. '' The massive 
architecture of the Grecian buildings w^as first 
rejected by the later Romans, and arches from co- 
lumn to column w^ere substituted in its place.- — • 
Tliis was the model of the old or Saxon Gothic ; 
being with semi-circular arches. The more ele- 
gant modern, or Norman Gothic, w^as the second 
change, and arose from the greater facility with 
which pointed arches were constructed, wanting 
but little centering, and still less ponderous stones. 
We have a convincing proof that facility of con- 
struction was the circumstance then mostly con- 
sidered, in many of the greatest works of this 
country ; for the soft Norman stone was brought 
here for the purpose of erecting them. Massive 
and strong stone being then totally disused in 
building, no other mode of covering a void was 
left than by the application of arches ; and in the 
improved Gothic, we see that arch judiciously 
adopted, which w^as most easily executed, and 
which had the least lateral pressure. To resist 
what little pressure it had, appropriate buttresses 
were requisite, sometimes converted into towers at 
the angles. Thus by a gradual progress, the rise 

and 



[ 90 ] 

and perfection of Gothic forms, affecting the 
mass of a building are naturally explained ; and 
no other than a pyramidal form could well result 
from a combination of such parts, being in fact, 
a great pyramid formed of so many less pyramids. 
The architect being furnished with a knowledge 
of the parts, it becomes his province to combine 
them in the best maimer to form one beautiful 
mass: suggesting only such variations in those 
parts as the nature of them will admit, without 
prejudice to their fitness in respect to utility or 
construction,"^ 

This reasoning is ingenious, and those abbies 
that were built before the modern Gothic was 
brought to perfection afford a circumstance in 
confirmation of it; — for whilst the lower parts re- 
tain the old Saxon style, the upper parts (of course 
built of lighter materials) approach to the pyra- 
midal form. But it is highl}^ probable that though 
an attention to convenience occasioned the intro- 
duction of the pointed arch, yet the first idea of 
it arose (agreeable to the opinion of many) from 
the observation of its accidental occurrence in the 
intersection of circular arches, used by way of or- 
nament in Saxon buildings. The western extre- 
mity of Malmesbury Abbey, (deemed the oldest 
part of the present remains) is ornamented in this 
manner. Many useful and ingenious discoveries 
have been owing to fortuitous circumstances, and 



* Monthly Review enlarged, vol. xx. p. 274, 

it 



[ 91 ] 

it is not improbable but the Gothic arcli is of the 
number. Among the pecuharities of this style, 
the spire also deserves our notice. Writers have 
been a good deal at a loss to account for its intro- 
duction. The most probable conjecture is that of 
Mr. Murphy, an ingenious artist.* He appre- 
hends that spires were first used, when the dead 
began to be buried in churches. Cemeteries 
among the Egyptians, and other ancient nations, 
were denoted by pyramids and columns. Here- 
upon, when religious edifices were appropriated to 
the purpose of burying-places, it was very natural 
for such a mode of distinguishing them to be 
used.f Soon after the Reformation, Gothic ar- 
chitecture fell into disesteem. As it was admirably- 
adapted to promote the influence of that gloomy 
superstition which was professed by those whom 
it appears to have been invented and improved, j: 
it probably became less admired and less imitated, 
as that superstition lost its sway over the minds of 
mankind. 



* The author of a difcourfe on Gothic archite£lure, prefixed to a work en- 
titled, »< Plans, Elevations, Seftions, and Views of the Church of Bataiha, 
in the Province of Eftremadura, in Portugal." 

-f- For other arguments in fupport of this opinion, we muft refer the curious 
reader to Mr. Murphy's work. 

+ M. Felibien obferves that architedlure, as well as other arts, in France, 
were cultivated chiefly by the Monks, in the earlier ages.* And in England, 
fome of our cathedrals (among which was Gloccfter,) were planned by ecclefi- 
aftics. 

* Entretlens fur les Vies dea Archltefts. 

At 

w 



[ 92 j 

At present a taste for the Gothic style of archi- 
tecture seems to be reviving in this country ; and 
some eminent artists have expressed their approba- 
tion of it in strong terms. Sir William Chambers 
asserts, that " To those usually called Gothic ar- 
chitects we are indebted for the first considerable 
improvements in construction : there is a lightness 
in their works, an art and boldness of execution 
to which the antients never arrived, and w^hich 
the moderns comprehend and imitate with diffi- 
culty."* When we compare the Gothic style with 
the Grecian, and attend to the characteristic traits 
of each, we shall find that the one is distinguished 
by sublimity, the other by beauty. In a perfect 
Gothic building, the tops of the windows are 
pointed, t1ie projecting parts are ornamented with 
turrets and buttresses, and the whole presents to 
the mind the idea of a compound pyramid. In a 
Grecian building, the windows are square, there 
are no spires or pinnacles to fatigue the eye, nor 
any irregularities to affect the uniformity of the 
whole. The one excites astonishment, the other 
delight. The outline of a Gothic structure is 
bolder and more varied than that of a Grecian, 
consequently the former appears to the greatest 
advantage when viewed at a distance; the latter 
afifords most pleasure when closely examined. 



* Treat) fc on the Decorative Part of Civil Archltefturc, p. 24. 



SFXTION 



[ 93 } 



SECTION V. 

A Description of some ancient Buildings , and 
other Remains of Antiquity situated i7i and 
near Malmeshilry, 



B 



ESIDES the ruins of the abbey church, 
Mahiiesbury contains some smaller and less 
important remnants of its former greatness. — 
Though most of these are at present too incon- 
siderable to attract the attention of the traveller, 
yet it would be improper to pass them by \jdthout 
some notice. 

Of these we shall first give some account of the 
building still known by the name of the Abbot's 
House; as from its proximity to the abbey it will, 
after that structure, be most likely to interest the 
•curiosity of the antiquarian. 



THE ABBOT S HOUSE. 

A little to the north-east of the abbey church 
is a building called the Abbot's House, now di- 
vided into separate tenements. The superstruc- 
ture is said to have been erected by a descendant 
of Mr. Stumpe, the clothier, in the reign of Queen 
Elizabeth. The lower part of this edifice is 
of much higher antiquity, as is evident from the 
pointed windows, ribbed arches, &c. observable 

M in 



[ 94 ] 

/ 

in the interior construction. From the stone gut- 
ters which project a considerable way up the win- 
dows, it is apparent that the present floor is five 
or six feet above the original one. On the wall 
in the outer court are some Saxon roses. There 
is a gateway still remaining, leading to the Ab- 
bot's House, which is much more curious than 
any thing in the building itself. This gateway is 
small, and is terminated above by a circular arch ; 
over which is placed something like a coat of 
arms, with figures lesemhliiyg Jieurs de lis carved 
in the stones on each side of it, by way of support- 
ers. The manner in which this sculpture is exe- 
cuted seems to indicate that it w^as not the work 
of a very distant, or barbarous age. 

In a work that appears to have been written in 
1727, it is said, that at the upper end of Long 
Newnton, near the Old Manor House, (about 
three miles from Malmesbury,) is a fountain of 
free- stone, from whence water was brought in 
pipes to the abbey ;^ and that some of these pipes 
were found in the seventeenth century. 



ST. PAULS CHURCH. 

What remains of the parish church of St. Paul,f 
stands in the southern side of the abbey cemetery. 



* Newnton Church was formerly a chapel of eafe to this monaftery. 

•f ** The body of the old paroche chlrch (of St. Paul) ftanding in the weft 
Ciid of the chirch yarde is clene taken down. The eft end h converted iif 
AULAM ciYiCAM,'* (into a town-hall.) Lei. Itin. But it appears from one 
of the ** Hundred Books" In Malmefljury, that it ceafed to be fuch about the 
ytiv 1623, This 



[ 95 3 

This relic hath for a long time been used for com- 
mon purposes. Near the spot on which stood 
ihe higli altar, is a lavatory, or stone basin, in 
which the priest washed his hands before the con- 
secration of the elements; a ceremony founded on 
Psal. xxvi. 6. There are some remains of a hand- 
some Gothic window, fronting the east. The 
steeple which belonged to St, Paul's, contains the 
bells used for divine service, and on other occa- 
sions. In this steeple the vicar of Malmesbury is 
still inducted.^ Opposite St. Paul's on the south- 
ern side, is the old vicarage-house. 



THE CHAPEL HOUSE. 

The building called the Chapel House, is si- 
tuated in the western environ of Malmesbury, 
styled Burnivale^t It has been inhabited by 
paupers time immemorial. In Burnivale, accord^- 
ing to tradition, there once w^as a nunnery ;:|: and 



* In the Fee Farm Roll of the county of Wilts, in the Augmentation Office, 
there is an account of the Redtoryof St. Paul, Jts tythes were then worth 
9I. i8s. lod. There is likewife a particular refpedling a leafe of the Reftory 
of Malme(bury, to Bafil, John and James Stumpe, for the term of their lives, 
at the faid yearly rent of gl. iSs. lod, 

-J- Perhaps it was thus denominated from its vicinity to the river, and Its 
Situation in a valley. The Saxon word Burna, fignifies a river, or fountain. 
Bailey's Dift, 

+ «* Sum hold opinion that there was fum tyrae a nunnery wher the Here- 
mitage now ftondith, in the dike of the toune, at the v/efte ende of the old 
paroche chirch." Lei. Itin. No other author mentions this hermitage. Per- 
haps, Leland means that near the fpot where the Chapel Houfe ftands, was a 
ftrufture which bore the name of the Hermitage, as being on the fcite of 
Meyldulph's folitary cell, which is fuppofed to have been fituated in this place, 

m2 it 



[ 96 ] 

it is probable that the poorhouse just noticed 
was a part of the chapel of that convent. This 
opinion derives support from the designation of 
this structure,* and from the remains of two win- 
dows, Avhich indicate the style of the building to 
have been similar to that of the oldest parts of the 
abbey church. But what gives additional proba- 
bility to the idea is a curious relic of antiquity, 
Avhich seems to have stood neglected for several 
ages, in a corner of one of the lower rooms. This 
curiosity is a small stone vase and pillar, placed in 
a niche, which appears to have been a lavatory, 
though it has been considered as a baptismal font, 
but it is evidently too small for that purpose. — 
The basin is about ten inches wide, and very shal- 
low. It is supported by a column of an octan- 
gular form, with a capital and pedestal, which 
appear to have been adorned with curious sculp- 
ture, now almost obliterated. 



THE WHITE-LION I^-X. 

Part of the walls of this inn are of a very extra- 
ordinary thickness ; and are probably the remains 
pf an hospithini, belonging to the monastery.f 
Near the e^itrance is a small stone vase, fixed in 



* In a deed d^ted the 8th Charles I. 1632, this houfe is ilyled *« Lady 
Chapel j" therefore the appellation is not very modern. 

-f- There is a tradition (hat fome workmen who were concerned in building 
the abbey, lodged at an inn which bore the fame name, and flood on the fame 
fpotr with the White-Lion. 

the 



[ 97 ] 

tlie Vv all, which seems to have been a receptacle 
for holy water. A pane of stained glass is pre- 
served in the kitchen window, containing a repre- 
sentation of a lion badly drawn, having round it 
the words '' JLOtD S^CtCg/' This relic appears to 
be very ancient. There was also in the front of 
the inn, over the principal gateway, a small figure 
carved in wood, designed to represent an abbot ; 
as may be inferred from the mitre on the head. 
This was not long since taken down, when the 
building was repaired. 



THE ALMSHOUSE. 

This ^ifice has a curious ancient arch near the 
entrance. Between the years 1263 and 1287, or 
it may be at an earlier period, there was at Malmes- 
bury an hospital (of the order) of St. John of 
Jerusalem,^ occupied by a prior, brethren and 
sisters, f bearing habits, and signs of the order, J 
and having a chapel and sacraments. This ap- 
pears from a decree made by Constantine, official 



•5f The knights of this order came into England, and had a houfe built for 
them in London, in iioo, and from a mean beginning, obtained great wealth> 
honours, and exemptions. Tanner's pref. p, 24.. 

•f As th« of5ce of the fillers of Jerufalem, was to be nurfes to the ficlc pil- 
grims— other charitable women, in feveral parts of Chriftendom, made it their 
bufinefs alfo to aflift, and take care of the fick and indigent people. The fimi- 
litude of their vocation, was probably the inducement of their afluming the 
habit of the fitters of Jerufalem j and probably made them choofe to refidc io 
or near the preceptories of the hofpitallers. CoUinfon, vol. ill. p. 97. 

^ They wore a black habit with a white crofs upon it. Tanner Ibid. 

of 



[ 98 3 

of Walter, then Lord Bishop of Sarum, between 
the vicar of the parish of St. Paul, Mahnesbury, 
and the master and brethren of the said hospital, 
about tythes; under the office seal, and seal of 
the abbot and convent of Malmesbury, who were 
patrons of the church.*' This hospital was situ- 
ated near the south bridge, f consequently the 
aforementioned arch, may be deemed a relic of 
the edifice, which belonged to that religious or- 
der. Here too stood the house of British nuns, 
^ „^ which is said to have been under the 
^03+ jurisdiction of Dinoth, abbot of Bangor. 



At a little distance to the south of the Alms- 
house, stands a private dwelling called Burton- 
Hill ChapeL It still retains fragments of some 
pointed windows, which render it probable that 
it might have formed a part of some religious edi- 
fice. This conjecture is strengthened by the fol- 
lowing passage from Leland : '' Sum say that 
ther was a nunnery toward the park longging to 
the abbate a litle without the tonne in the way to 
Chippenham." 



•^ From the regifter- book of the abbey of Mai mefbury preferved in the library 
of the Marquis of Lanfdowne. The record in the regifter indeed has np date, 
but from an examination of the biihop's regifter office at Salisbury, it feems 
that only two prelates of the name of Walter, fat in that fee previous to the 
reformation. Thefe were Walter de la Wyle, who was confecrated in 1263, 
^nd Walter Scammei, who became Bifhop of Salilbury, in 1284, and died in 
7x87. 

f Lei. Iiin, t Grofe's Antiquities. 

About 



i 99 ] 

About half a mile to the north-east of the town, 
is a farm house named Whitchurch ; on or near 
the scite of which a building is said to have stood, 
which bore the appellation of White Church. It 
perhaps belonged to the Carthusian monks, who 
were also styled White Monks, from their white 
habits. It has been suggested however, that the 
church derived its denomination from the cir- 
cumstance of divine service having been celebrated 
in it on Whit-Sunday. The preceding structure 
has no relics of aiitiquity in or nedr it: but there 
is a small orchard contiguous to it, which in au 
old deed bears the name of Chapel Close. 



THE WORKHOUSE 

Situated in Holloway, is an ancient building, 
in which are found the remains of some pillars 
H^hich indicate its former consequence. On one 
of the walls in the court-yard are two small pieces 
of sculpture, representing a calvary cross and an 
angel; whence it has been inferred, that this house 
(as well as the White-Lion) was formerly an hos- 
pitium to the abbey. It was here, according to 
tradition, that Henry VIII. and his retinue were 
entertained by Mr. Stumpe, the clothier, on their 
return from hunting in Bredon Forest. From the 
situation and appearance of the edifice, it is pro- 
bable, that this was the Banqueting House* in 

which 

* See page 22 and 29. On a fpot not far from this fabric and contiguous to 
the town wall, I am informed there flood, in the memory of man, a fummer- 

hottfe. 



[ 100 ] . 

which Charles I. was also entertained by the 
corporation in the time of the civil wars. 



THE TOWN WALL. 

Leland in describing the state of the fortifica- 
tions of this town, about the middle of the six- 
teenth century, says : *' in the toune be 4 gates, 
by the names of Est, West, North, and South, 
ruinous al. The walles in many places stond ful 
up, but are now very feble. Nature hath dikid 
the toune strongel}^"* Neither of these gates at 
present remain. The eastern gate situated in Hol- 
lo way was the last which was standing, and that 
was taken down bv order of the commissioners of 
the turnpike road in the year 1778. There was a 
gate named Postern Gate,| a little to the souths 
west of St. Paul's church, the remains of which 
wTre removed in 1794-, by Mr. R. Robins, of Mal- 
iiiesbury. Very near to the abbey stood an old 
arch or gateway which was destroyed by an ac- 
cident in August, 1799- It probably belonged t© 
some of the offices of the monastery, though it 
has been supposed to have been- connected with 
the fortifications. 



l»oufe, (which perhaps belonged to the Banqueting Houfe) in which it is faW 
the king took a fhort repofe on the night of his efcape to Cirencefter. 

* Itiner. vol. ii. 

-f Poftern gates or fallyports, in fortification, are underground paflages le^« 
ing from the inner to the outer works, defigned /or the conveyance of foldiers 
or artillery. Englifli Encyclopoedia vol. ix. p. 182. The gateway above no- 
ticed was probably eredled after the fubterraneous works bad been deftroyed and 
improperly called by the fame name*. 

At 



[ 101 ] 

At the entrance of the town from Cirencester, 
the principal relics of the walls are to be found; 
forming grand and massive boundaries on each 
side of the road. The great height, winding di- 
rection, and fine masonry which these ruins ex- 
hibit, cannot fail to arrest the attention of the 
traveller. It is impossible accurately to ascertain 
the period at which these walls were erected.- — 
There is, however, room for conjecture that they 
might have formed a part of the fortifications 
raised by the Bishop of Salisbury, in the reign of 
King Stephen.^ 

At a ;small distance from the base of this wall, 
about six feet beneath the surface of the earth, a 
substance has been discovered, which has been 
supposed to be vitrified matter,']' and it has been 
imagined that the place was formerly encom- 
passed with a mtrijied bank or vallum. Some 
specimens of this curious substance are in the 
possession of E. Wilkins, esq; at Malmesbury. 



There is a well denominated the Castle Well^ 
which is supposed to have belonged to the famous 
castle erected by Roger, Bishop of Sarum. It is 
situated on the summit of a field, commonly 
known by the name of Mundane's Close, and from 



* See p. 45, 

f Antiquarians have been at a lofs to account for the origin of this remark- 
able kind of matter ; confiderable quantities of which hafC been difcovered 
in the Highlands of Scotland.— Appendix, Note XXIV, 

isr thQ^ce 



I 102 1 

thence the well lias sometimes been called Mun- 
daiie's WelL It is about three hundred feet N.N.W. 
of the abbey church. A master builder who has 
examined this well, remarks that it is very large, 
of great depth, and the workmanship neatly exe- 
cuted. It has been covered over for several yeai-s 
on account of its having been made a receptacle 
for ordure ; in consequence of which the water in 
the neighbouring wells, became spoiled. 

Near the west front of the abbey, not far from 
this well, is the gable end of an edifice, which is 
reported to have been a m^oiety of the castle. 



THE C^U^RCH OF ST. MARY, WESTPORT. 

This church, of which we shall give an account 
hereafter, is comparatively a modern edifice. We 
^hall here only notice the fonty which appears to 
be very antique. It is of an octangular fonii, 
ornamented with scul[)ture, and supported by a 
mutilated column. It probably belonged to the 
old church which stood on, or near this spot. 



A little to the Avest of this church is an ancient 
pointed arch, forming a doorway and part of a 
window^ which seem to have been the relics of •« 
0hapal. 



At the corner of a street, formerlv called Milk- 

Street, near the road to Sherston, stands a house 

which is denominated St. Hellenes, on the same 

spot where foi'ilterly stood St, Hellen's Chapel. In 

' the 



[ 103 ] 

the wall of the garden belonging to this house^ is 
fixed a calvary cross. 



O^ Roman antiquities in the neighbourhood of 
Malmesbury, we have but little to communicate. 
The great Roman road, usually called the Foss,; 
runs about two miles north of the town. A field, 
called Cam's Hill, situated about a mile to the 
south of Malmesbury, exhibits two enclosures 
which appear to have been a part of the scite of a. 
Roman camp. The largest of these inclosures is 
perfectly square; each side measuring about one 
hundred and twenty feet. Adjoining to it is the 
smaller one, which is of an oblong figure, being 
about one hundred and twenty feet ixi length, ancl 
ninety or one hundred in breadth. AYhether these 
inclosures really were the scite of a camp, may 
^dmit of some question. There are, however, 
several circumstances that render the conjecture 
proba]}le. The name Gam's Hill appears to have 
belonged to the field time immemorial, and there 
can be little doubt but it is a corruption of the 
term Camp Hill, (q. d. Mons Castrensis,) This 
field is moreover the highest ground in the neigh- 
bourhood of Malmesbury, and consequently re- 
sembles the situations in which the Roman con- 
querors of Britain usually encamped. We may 
add, that at the bottom of the hill runs one of 
the parent streams of the Avon, and there are still 
to be perceived the remains of a road, or embank- 
ment passing along the side of the lield down to 
the water. Adjoin- 



[ 104 ] 

Adjoining to Cam's Hill is a field called Castle. 
Ground^ in which is a circular inclosure where 
perhaps, in former times, stood a castle. Neither 
history, nor tradition afford us any information re- 
lative to the age, or people to which this castle 
belonged. Its situation, however, renders it not im- 
probable that it was a frontier castle of the king- 
dom of Wessex, during the existence of the Saxon 
heptarchy; and what adds to the likelihood of 
this supposition is, that very large stones have 
been dug up within the limits of this circle. 

This place is also called Burnt Growid; parti- 
cularly in a grant from Cpiarles I. to R. Bennett, 
esq; dated 16£8. Tradition reports that a battle 
was fought here between King Stephen and the 
Empress Maud,^ when probably this castle was 
destroyed by fire, and the spot from that circum- 
.stance acquired the appellation of Burnt Ground. 



THE MARKET CROSS. 

Crosses were formerly erected in market-places, 
vith a view to excite devotion. f Malmesbury 
has a curious monument of this kind, a little to 



* See p. 26, &c, 

■f ** The original intention of erefting crofles, whether In churchyards or In 
public roads, was to remind paflengers of the meritorious crofs and paflion of 
our bleffed Saviour Jefus Chrift, and of the duty incumbent on them to pray 
for the fouls of their departed brethren. Formerly there was fcarce a village 
or hamlet but had one or more of thefe pious mementos. Some of them 
were infcribed with the names of the ereftors, and with admonitions to the 
devout pilgrim. Sermons were frequently delivered from them%" CoUinfon's 
Kift. of Somerfetih. vol. I. p. 224% 

the 




J. Taylor Jun^sc 






[ 105 ] 

the south of the abbey. I have noticed the cross 
last, as being of less antiquity than the remains 
before mentioned. But I have given a plate of 
this structure, because it is esteemed the chief or- 
nament of the town, the abbey excepted. The 
cross is thus described by Leland : " There is a 
right fair and costely peace of Avorke in the mar- 
ket place, made al of stone, and curiusly voultid 
for poore market folkes to stande dry when rayne 
cummith. Ther be 8 great pillers and 8 open 
arches, and the work is 8 square : one great piller 
in the middle berith up the voulte."* He says, 
that '' the men of the tow^ie made this peace of 
work in hominum memo7^id,'''\ or towards the close 
of the fifteenth century. 

This structure is, as Leland says, of an octan- 
gular form, and is much enriched with sculpture. 
On the turret, in the centre (supported by eight 
octangular flying buttresses) are a crucifix and 
several statues. The variety and elegance of the 
carving with which this building is embellished, 
have often been deservedly admired. This cu- 
rious piece of antiquity Avas, not long since, in 
danger of falling into decay, but it has, by the 
liberality of the Earl of SuiFolk, and Lady North- 
wich, been carefully repaired in the original style. 

* Itiner* voK ii. -|- Id. 



SECTION 



[ 106 j 



SECTION VI- 

Of the Borough — King Atheist an' s Charter — 
Confirmalions and neiv Grants of Charters-^ 
Of the Returns to P arliament for the Borough 
— E.vtr acts from Domesday-Book — Notices re- 
lating to the Manor. 



THE borough of Malmesbiny is among the 
most ancient in the kingdom, having been 
incoiporated by Edward the Elder, about the year 
916. The privileges bestowed on the town by 
this monarch were confirmed to them by his son 
and successor, King Athelstan, in ^^% 

The followino; is the substance of Ath'elstan's 
charter,^ as contained in the preamble to that 
granted by King William III. — '^ I, Athelstan, 
King of England, do grant for myself, and my 
*successors, to the burgesses of the borough of 
Medulfusberg and their successors, that they shall 
have and enjoy all their functions and free cus- 
toms, as they held them in the time of Edward, 
my father. And I command all under my govern- 
ment, that they do them no injury ; and that 
they be free from the charge of Burghbote, Brig- 

* This is apprehended to be the earliefl charter extant j that granted by 
King Edward, being in all probability not now difcoverable,— — Caley's MS. 

bote^ 



[ 107 ] 

iote^ JVardwhite, Horngeld, and Scot. And I 
give and grant to them, that royal heath of five 
hides of land,* near my tov/n of Norton, for their 
aid given me in my battle against the Danes. 

^' Signed with my seal, in the presence of Ed- 
mund, my brother, by the advice of Wolsin my 
chancellor, and Odo my treasurer, and Godwin 
my standard bearer, who procured this for the 
burgesses, "t 

• At present it would ]Drobably be a fruitless task 
to endeavour to discov-er the nature of the con- 
stitution of the corporation of Malmesbury, in the 
days of Athelstan. His charter does not, like 
those granted in modern, times, prescribe any par- 
ticular forms for the interior civil government of 
the borough. It is merely a grant of lands and 
privileges to a pre-existi ng body of men, charac* 
terized as the king's " burgesses of the borough 
of Medulf usberg. " As nothing but conjectures 
can therefore be offered on this subject, those who 
feel interested in it may judge for themselves, 
whether it is probable that there were from the 
beginning different orders of burgesses; or that 
the privileges granted them were equally enjoyed 
by all the members of the corporation. 



* As the quantity of land fignified by the term hi da, a hide is uncertain, 
and was probably arbitrary; it is impofCble at prefent/ to determine with ac- 
curacy, how far the heath here mentioned extended. It now conf.fts of about 
five hundred acres j but ferae enclofures have perhaps been taken out of it, in 
more modern times, 

+ Appendix, Note XXV. 

The 



[ 108 ] 

The primary institution of boroughs was con- 
nected with the feudal system : but though these 
communities were formed on the principles of feu- 
dal policy, yet the effects they had on the state 
of civil society were such as to weaken, and at 
length destroy the influence of that system over 
customs and manners, in those countries where 
they were introduced. 

Corporate bodies, as they elect the major part 
of the members of one of the branches of legisla- 
ture, may be considered as forming an important 
adjunct of the British constitution. Montesquieu 
acutely observes, that ^' on reading the admirable 
work of Tacitus, on the manners of the Germans, 
it will be perceived, that from them the English 
drew the idea of their poMtical government. That 
'beautiful system was derived from the forests.""^' 
A few observations on t^ne origin of boroughs will 
serve to corroborate the idea of this ingenious 
Frenchman. 

Among the ancient Germans courage and skill 
in the art of war, procured for the possessors of 
them a superiority over their followers in a time 
of peace. The victorious chief spent his days in 
idle state, whilst the multitude were employed in 
the drudgery, necessarily attendant on the task of 
procuring food for themselves and their masters. 



•Jf *« Si Ton veut lire Tadmirable ouvrage de Tacite fur les mceurs des Ger- 
mains, on verra que c'eft d'eux que les Anglois ont tir6 Tide^ de leur gouverne- 
ment politique. Ce beau fyfteme a ct6 tpeuvfe dans les bois." L*EfprIt dcs 

J-OJX. 

When 



[ 109 J 

When any portion of territory was conquered, the 
fertihty of which induced a wandering trihe of 
this description to settle in it; a division of it was 
made among the leaders of the tribe, in such a 
manner as to leave them dependant on their gene- 
ral. By these subordinate chiefs, each portion 
was subdivided among their foliov/ers, who often- 
times had another class of tenants under them. — 
These divisions at first, were only for the life of 
the holder, or proprietor, and at his death the fief 
reverted to the chief. But at length another order 
of things took place. On the death of a feudal 
lord, if he left a son behind him, the chief con- 
tenting himself with a fine, suffered the son to in- 
herit his father's possessions. A similar mode of 
proceeding was observed among other classes of 
tenants, and thus a feudal aristocracy became 
completely established. But under this system, 
the lower orders of the community possessed no 
landed 'property ; and were, in fact, little better 
than slaves to the feudal proprietors. The op- 
pressions under which they groaned, enervated 
their minds, and prevented them from acquiring 
courage to shake off the tyranny of their lords.* 

This probably was the state of society in Eng- 
land, at the time that Egbert put a period to the 
Saxon heptarchy. During the reign of Egbert's 
immediate successors, commerce began to be cul- 



* Vid. Dr. Stuart's Hiftor* Diflertatlon on the Anti(iuity of the Eng. Con- 
ftitution. Pt. u. Sea. i, 

o tivated 



[■ 110 ] 

tivated in England ; and bome of those monarchsf 
having been wise enough to observe the advan- 
tages that flowed from it, patronised in a particu- 
lar manner those who exercised it/^ and thus 
diminished, and after a time, in a great degree 
annihilated the power of the feudal lords. 

One of the iirst steps that was taken for the en- 
couragement of commerce, was the institution of 
boroughs. These at first, probably were only 
bodies of tradesmen in large towns, incorporated 
by a royal charter, which exempted them from 
the jurisdiction of the feudal lords. By this ex- 
emption, the members of corporations had tljeir 
situation in society very much improved ; for 
whereas many of them had probably been tenants 
of the YGvy lowest class, they now became in their 
corporate capacity, tenants of the king only.— 
But this Avas not the sole advantage that arose 
from the institution. The acquirement of courage 
followed the restoration of liberty; and thus the 
monarch, who erected corporations, raised a num- 
ber of active and zealous defenders of the country 
against its violent and piratical enemies the Danes. 
The gift of lands to corporations appears in early 
time^ at least, to have been in general, subsequent 
to their first institution. This seems to have been 



■^ King Athslftan feems to have fhewn 4s much regard for commerce as 
moft mcnarchs. He enaded a law, whereby a merchant who had made three 
voyages, became entitled to the rank of a Thane. ** Et fi mercator tamen fit, 
<jiji ter trans altum mare per facuUates proprias abeat, ille poftea jure thani f:t 
dignus,".«Wilkins, Leges Anglo-Saxonicae, p. 71. 

the 



[ 111 J 

the case at IMalmesbury ; for we do not find that 
the burgesses were possessed of any lands until the 
donation of Athelstan, though they were incor- 
porated about twenty-three years before the date 
of his charter. It is probable, that in ancient 
times, every inhabitant of a borough became in- 
titled to a share in the privileges of the corpora- 
tion; for theie is a Saxon law, ^v\\GYehj ^illeins, 
who had remained in a privileged town, during a 
year and a day, obtained their liberty.* 

Hence it appears that the introduction of com* 
tnerce was attended with the happiest effects on 
the state of society. As an eminent writer re- 
marks, *' A road was thus opened for the meanest 
in the community to attain to its honours ; and 
while inferior orders were animated with the pros- 
pect of bettering their condition, the offices and 
purposes of society were performed with vigour. 
The activity and ardour with which different 
ranks prosecuted their different employments, 
communicated improvement to the community ; 
and men advanced in civility, and in the arts of 
of life. "t 

From the time of Athelstan, the history of the 
borough is much interwoven with that of the ab- 
bey ; since it is probable, that nearly the whole 



* *» Si fervi permanferint fine calumnia per annum et diem in clvitatibua 
noftris, vel in burgis in muro vallatis, vel in caftris noftris, a die ilia liberi ef- 
ficiuntur, et liberi a jugo fervitutis fiiae fint in perpetuum. Wilkins, p. 229, 
Ang. Sacr. torn. i. p. 261, 

f Dr. Stuart on the Eng. Conftitution, Pt. iii. p. 186. 

tow® 



t 112 ] 

town belonged to it; fox there are still extant 
grants of seignorial property within the borough, 
to the abbot and convent ; and also various in- 
stances of their letting on lease, houses and lands 
to particular persons, which 7ipw belong to the 
corporation. 

The burgesses of Malmesbury, in early times, 
seem to have risen into considerable importance, 
as a trading company. We find that they had a 
Merchants' Guild, under the government of an 
alderman and two stewards. The Register Book 
of the convent of Malmesbury, contains several 
deeds and conveyances between the abbot apd 
convent, and the members of this guild ; from 
whence it farther appears, that there was a pretty 
close connexion between the monastery and the 
corporation.* 

This town, therefore, having been a place of 
considerable importance in a commercial point of 
view, and also famous for the wealth and gran- 
deur of its monastery, it is probable that most 
of those monarchs who were benefactors to the 
abbot and convent also granted privileges to the 
incorporated tradesmen. From the time of Athel- 
Stan's benefaction, however, no record has been 
yet discovered purporting to be a charter for the 
confirmation of former franchises, or the addition 
of further privileges, previous to the reign of 

* Some additional particulars relating to the above fubjed may be found in 
the following fedlion. 

Richard 



[ 113 ] 

Richard II. In the Britlsli Museum there is a 
deed, entitled, ''a charter of divers liberties, with 
a heath near Norton, containmg five hides of 
land given by King Athelstan to the burgesses of 
the town of Malmesbury, on account of a victory 
o'ained over the Danes. "* This was p-ranted about 
the year 1389. A few years after this transaction, 
the imprudent and unfortunate Richard w^as de- 
posed. Articles of impeachment were exhibited 
against him ; in which he was charged w^ith hav- 
ing set aside certain knights and burgesses who 
}iad been legally elected to serve in parliament, 
and introduced others for clandestine purposes. 
These charges were proved, and even admitted by 
the illfated monarch. His successor, Henry IV. 
who annulled many of King Richard's grants, 
thought proper to favour the burgesses of Malmes- 
bury with a new charter, which is dated July 2, 
141 1. It confirms to the burgesses and their suc- 
cessors the charter of King Athelstan, and re- 
news the liberties and franchises, which it con- 
tains secure from interruption, either from the 
king or his officers. 

This charter of Henry IV. is noticed in the 
preamble to that of William III. 



* Malmefbury Burgus — De Ilbertatibus diverfis cum Bruera juxta Norton, 
continente 5 hidas terrae, concefs' per Regem Athelftan burgenfibus villas pra- 
di^z, pro vi£loria perafta contra Danos, Bund. Certif. Gildar. &c, Ao. 12. 
Rich. II. No, 4, 

There is alfo extant, in the Briti/h Mufeum, another charter granted by this 
jnonarch, entitled — Confirmatio Cart% et Libertat. antiquifs' Medulfinenfis 
Ylllse. Ao. 5. Rich. II, pt, i.in la. et Chartul, Caley's M.S. 

We 



[ 114 1 

We must not omit among the benefactors of the 
corporation Henry V. the illustrious conqueror 
of France. There is extant a deed of this mo- 
narch with the following title : De manibus 7^egis 
amovendis de quddam Bruei^d, sive pastiird, juxta 
Malmeshury vocatd Brendeheth, qux Atheist anus 
Rex Anglix dedit Burgensibiis mllce de Malmes- 
burif, pro sustentatioiie unius Capellani ad oran- 
dum pro animabus dicti regis et Burgensium 
prcedictorum. — Pasch. rec. 10. Hen. V. rot. 4.* 

The nature of this deed cannot readily be un- 
derstood from the account of it, but the following 
observations may in some degree facilitate its in- 
terpretation. In the beginning of this king's reign, 
in 1414, a parliament was held at Leicester, by 
which one hundred and ten alien priories were sup- 
pressed, and their lands and revenues given to the 
king. This was not done without the consent of 
the English clergy, to whom this property be- 
longed ; but policy induced them to sacrifice a 
part of their extensive possessions, in order to pre- 
serve the remainder. The foundations thus sup- 
pressed were such has had been dependent on fo- 
reign monasteries, and therefore probably consisted 
(besides priories,) of hermitages, chapels, and other 
small institutions, like the chapel before-men- 
tioned, in Avhich prayers were to be said for the 
soul of King Athelstan, and for those of the bur- 
gesses of Malmesbury. If therefore this chapel 

* Fofbrooke's Auxill. Coll. for Wiltfh, M.S. 

was 



[ n5 ] 

was connected with some abbey abroad, it must, 
w^ith the rest, have fallen into the hands of the 
king ; who may afterwards have restored it to the 
corporation. It is worthy of notice, that among 
the present possessions of the corporation, there 
are two houses, called in King William's charter 
All-hallows and St. Hellenes Chapels ; one of which 
probably was raised for the above-noticed pious 
purpose. It may, perhaps, be thought improbable 
that any minor institution of the monastic kind 
should exist within the jurisdiction of a large and 
powerful English abbey, and yet be under subjec- 
tion to a foreign superior. But to this it may 
be answered, that when Athelstan's chapel was 
founded, Malmesbury monastery had not so exten- 
sive a jurisdiction as it afterwards obtained; there- 
fore the chapel may have been erected and placed 
under the protection of some abbey abroad ; and 
v/hen the alien priories were given to the English 
ecclesiastics this chapel would naturally fall into 
the possession of the abbot of Malmesbury, and 
the burgesses who occupied the land allotted for 
its support, merely changed their masters. From 
the Register- Book of the abbey of Malmesbury 
it appears, that a ' great part of the lands of the 
monastery, Avhich were in the vicinity of the 
town, were in the tenure of individuals belonging 
to the corporation. This was the case with the 
above field, hruera, now called Bm^nt-heath; for 
in page 218 of the register, is a '' Release from 
the abbot and convent to the burgesses of the 

Merchant'.^ 



t 116 ] 

^lerchaiits' Guild, and their heirs and assigns, of 
all their right, claim, and common in Kokeshethe, 
Bj'odecrofte, and one close lying between the 
aforesaid fields ; and in a close made by the same 
burgesses, being one-fourth of the heath called 
Barndehethe : reserving to tliemselves the right 
of pasture ; and provided no other portion is en- 
closed beside that which the buro-esses have al= 
readv entered on.'' A variety of extracts from 
this record to the same purpose might be intro- 
duced : but v/e shall only observe, that they all 
tend to prove that the abbot and convent were the 
patrons of the corporation, and that the wealth 
and prosperity of the town depended principally 
on the monastery. 

From these observations it appears probable 
that this chapel of the burgesses and its endow- 
ment had been foreign property ; and for that 
reason came into the hands of King Henry, 
who bv the above deed, restored the field to the 
corporation : but whether it was still subject 
to the charge of supporting the chapel, does not 
appear. 

Two charters of Edward IV. for the confirma- 
tion of ancient franchises and grants, to the town 
of Malmesbury, ( Medulfinensis Villa) are to be 
found in the British Museum. One of these deeds 
is dated in the first; and the other in the eleventh 
year of the reign of that prince.* 



* Mr. Caley's M.S. 

It 



f 117 ] 

It does not appear that any royal charter wds 
granted to the corporation during the period 
between the reign of Edward IV. and that of 
Henry VIII. yet this eventful era is too important 
to be passed over in silence. That crafty monarch 
Henry VII. clearly saw that the feudal aristocracy, 
whose interest had raised him to the throne, might 
employ that, interest to deprive him of it, in fa- 
vour of a more powerful competitor. He there- 
fore wisely determined to clip the wings of its 
influence, and rid himself of the cause of his ap- 
prehension.* 

Among the methods which Henry made use of 
to lessen the power of the barons, the encouraging 



* " Henry had fagacity and bravery, but a narrovvnefs of foul overclouded his 
good qualities. He was cruel from ambition j and his infatiable avarice ren- 
dered him deaf to the didtatas of juftice and even of policy., 'Tis ftrange but 
true that his very paffion for arbitrary fway was rendered by the good genius of 
England an inftrument of her growing freedom. The king knew that the 
barons, with their vaft eftates and numerous retainers, could alone check the 
royal power. He found this order much enfeebled by the fanguinary ravages 
of civil difcord ; he deprefled them by perpetual a6ls to prohibit their trains of 
dependants} and enticed them to prodigality and confequent ruin by permitting 
them to alienate their landed eftates, Henry chofe bifliops (Morton and Fox- 
in particular) for his minifters, as he could reward them more eafily and rule 
them more readily than the ftubborn barons j and in general he ihowered favours 
on priefts, lawyers, and fuch as the Romans ftyled < Novi homines.* The 
difcharged retainers were driven to gainful induftry, having no longer their 
lord's table to fupport them; and the nobles deprived of their coftly and 
numerous follovi^ers, expended their incomes in fuch branches of luxury as 
encouraged the riling growth of manufadure. Thus the democratic part of 
the coaftitution affifted by the monarchic gained ground on the ariftocracy; and 
that admh-ed form of government which Britain now pofleffes is perhaps more 
indebted for its eftablilihment to the interefted policy of the defpotic Henry, 
than to the glorioiis and patriotic exertions of the moft renowned fons of liberty,'* 
Andrews's Hift. of Gr. Britain. Vol, I. Pt. ii. p. 206, 

.P of 



[ lis J 

of commerce was perhaps the most praiseworthy 
and effectual. 

For this purpose various rights and privileges 
were granted to trading communities ; and foreign 
artists were encouraged to settle in England. The 
plan thus wisely marked out was followed by the 
succeeding prince, but not with equal prudence. 
** Henry VIII. meant well to commerce, but did 
not understand, nor attend to its interests so well 
as his father had done; as appears by the prompti- 
tude with which he assented to the petitions for 
a monopoly from Bridport, and the towns of 
Worcestershire. The neighbouring hamlets to the 
former were forbidden by act of parliament to 
make ropes or cables; and the people of Worces- 
tershire not residing in five towns named in the 
act, were prohibited from engaging in the manu- 
facture or sale of cloth."* However, notwith- 
standing the mistakes of Henry, the commerce 
of Britain encreased during his reign. 

The burgesses of Malmesbury among others, 
doubtless entered with avidity on the road thus 
opened to wealth and power. The clothing trade 
as we shall hereafter have farther occasion to 
observe, was carried on in this town to a very 
considerable extent. 

In the year 1531, a cliarter for the confirma- 
tion of former grants and privileges was given to 



'^ Vfd. Andrews. Vol. I. pt. ii. p. 345, 

the 



[ 119 ] 

the corporation.^ It was in this year that the 
English ecclesiastics were sued as in case of a 
prcemunire, for having acknowledged a foreign 
jurisdiction, and taken out bulls, and had suits 
in Cardinal Wolsey's legatine court. Alarmed 
at its perilous state, the priesthood united in 
presenting a large sum to the king, and in ac- 
knowledging him as supreme head of the church. 
The laity, who had been involved in the same 
crime with the clergy, were fearful of incurring 
the same penalty; but on their petitioning by the 
voice of parliament for an amnesty it was at length 
granted them.f Whether the above charter was 
given to the burgesses of Malmesbury as a reward 
for their prompt obedience to the despotic Henry 
on this important occasion, or whether it was 
purchased with a subsidy, is uncertain. Some 
circumstances however may be mentioned, which 
render it probable that the inhabitants of this 
town were favoured by the king. Richard Framp- 
ton who had been abbot of the convent ever 
«nce the year 150.9, quietly resigned his charge 
and accepted of a pension, a fe\y years after the 
grant of this charter. This resignation was no 
doubt agreeable to- the principal part of the towns- 
men; and shews that they must have been more 
ready to comply with the religious whims of their 



* Confirm, cartae burgens. vill.de Malmelb, Grig. 2.2. Hen. VIII. rot. 
38. Folbrooke's Auxill. Coll. for Wiltih. MS. 

■f Andrews' Hift. of Gr. Brit. Vol.1, pt. ii. p, 262. 

monarcK 



[ 120 ] 

monarch than could have been expected from 
their former habits. But the king's favour and 
generosity to the town may more readily be at- 
tributed to his intercourse with ]\Ir. Stumpe, a 
3-ich manufacturer of Mahnesbury, of whom we 
sliall elsewhere give a farther account. 

Hitherto it appears that the corporation had 
been indebted to the fostering influence of the 
- monastery for its power and opulence; but the 
dissolution of such relio-ious foundations which 
now took place, did not involve the civil institu- 
tion in the same destruction. Aided by commerce, 
it now possessed the means of subsisting alone, and 
of increasing its possessions and its importance. 

It is worthy of remark, that the Reformation 
does not appear to have met with any material 
opposition at Malmesbury. 

No alterations seem to have taken place in the 
state of the corporation during the reigns of Ed- 
ward VI. and Queen Mary. In the following 
reign, the burgesses were probably possessed of 
considerable property and interest, derived from 
a successful application to the woollen manufac- 
ture. It has been discovered, that in Queen Eliza- 
beth's time, a considerable addition was made to 
the landed possessions of this body corporate : in 
all probability, the most important acquisition of 
land which it could boast of, since the donation of 
its great benefactor, King Athelstan. 

Before we proceed to unfold the manner in 
wliich the burgesses of Malmesbury became pos- 

sesse<J 



[ 121 ] 

scssed of this property, we shall notice its former 
proprietors. For this purpose, it will be necessary 
to recur to a period previous to the Reformation; 
when probably the whole of the lands referred to, 
belonged to the Knights Hospitalars; of AV^hom 
some account has been already o;iven.^ The in- 
mates of the hospital here, hke those in many 
parts of the kingdom, were possessed of great 
power and opulence ; but the abbot and convent 
of Malmesbury had such influence over this estab- 
lishment, as rendered it in a great measure depen- 
dant on the monastery. This plainly appears from 
the record cited in page 98. f It is probable that 
there was an intimate connexion also between the 
prior and brethren of this institution, and the 
burgesses who may have occupied as tenants the 
lands appertaining to the hospital. In the year 
1540, the Knights of St. John were expelled the 
kingdom, and their extensive possessions fell into 
the hands of the king. The lands and houses 
at Malmesbury, were perhaps given, or sold by 
Henry VIII. to one of his courtiers ; for, in the 
reign of Queen Elizabeth, a part of them belonged 
to John Mersh and William Mersh, gentlemen, of 
London; who gave the portion they possessed to 
John Stumpe, esq; of Malmesbury. The remain- 
der was purchased, by the same gentleman, of 
John Herbert and Andrew Palmer, citizens of 
London; and the whole was transferred by jNIr. 

« See r. 6i. and 97, f See Appendix, Note * XXHI. 

Stumpe, 



[ 122 ] 

Stiimpe, in consideration of the sum of twent3^-six 
pounds, thirteen shillings, and four-pence, to the 
burgesses then existing, for the use and in behalf 
of the alderman and burgesses of the borough of 
Malmesbury ; to be held in free and common so- 
cage, under the Queen's Manor of East Green- 
wich. This transaction took place in the year 
1580.'^ 

These possessions are now charged with the 
payment of t\venty pounds per annum, towards 
the support of a free-school and almshouse. When 
these foundations took place, or on what account, 
is rather uncertain. Perhaps similar charitable in- 
stitutions had subsisted under the patronage of 
the Kniglits Hospitalars. If this was the case 
however, they were probably set aside when that 
order was suppressed. No notice is taken of the 
school, or alms-house in the grant of Mr. Stumpe. 
It lias been suggested that they were founded sub- 
sequent to the statute of 3S)th Eliz. 1597; which 
fixes the sum for the endowment of an hospital to 
J>e not less than ten pounds. And the exact time 
may be more nearly conjectured from an original 
memorandum,! whereby it appears that the allot- 
ments, or particular quota of each capital burgess, 
to make up the twenty pounds by quarterly pay- 
ments, were settled June 22 1629; about which 
time, probably the school and almshouse were es- 
tablished on the present foundation. 



Appendix, Note XXVJ, f Appeadix, "Note XXVH. 

From 



[ ^23 ] 

From the unfortunate Charles I. the members 
of the corporation received a new charter, ^vhh 
additional privileges, in the year 1636.* This 
grant is usually regarded as having altered, or at 
least modified the constitution of the borough, by 
the creation of an alderman, twelve capital bur- 
gesses, and twenty-four assistants; the alderman 
being endowed with the powers of a justice of the 
peace. But though this seems to have been the 
first charter in which these branches of the body 
corporate are expressly mentioned, yet there are 
documents which tend to prove that there were 
twelve principal, or capital burgesses, and an al- 
derman, Avho had an extraordinary share of the 
privileges and revenues of the corporation, long 
previous to this period. Indeed it is observable, 
that Ambrose Parris, otherwise Looker, who was 
the first alderman under this charter, bore the 
same office at the time of his appointment ; and 
that all the persons named as capital burgesses 
had served the office of alderman, though not in 
regular succession, as they do at present ; for in 
some instances, one person is found to have served 
as alderman for several years together. 

It is not an improbable supposition, that all the 
accessary branches of the corporation originated 
in the trading community beforementioned, called 
the Maxhanls' Guild; the members of which so- 



* Malmcfbury Burgo libertates conceflae in Comitatu Wiltefiae, 5 pars orig* 
Ao, II. Car. I. rot. ji. Appendix, Note XXVUI. 

ciet.v 



[ 124 '] 

cicty appear to have consisted of the most wealthy 
and powerful individuals among the burgesses.— 
Whether this trading company continued in exis- 
tence at this period, is not certain. But it is not 
unlikely that the persons (twelve in number) to 
As^liom the lands of the Hospitalars were granted 
by Mr. Stumpe, may have been the governors of 
the guild; and on the acquisition of this property, 
tlie title of which may have been defective, =^ they 
probably thought that the royal charter erecting 
tliem into a privileged body, distinct from the 
other members of the corporation, would most 
fninly secure their newly gotten possessions. The 
capital burgesses under the new charter, perhaps 
formed a kind of civic aristocracy; so that the 
principal offices in the corporation may for some 
time have been in the hands of particular families. 
Tlie benefits conferred on this town by King" 
Cliarles were repaid with loyalty by the inhabi- 
tants. This ill fated monarch was entertained by 
the corporation in the Town-Hall, during his 
short and hasty visit, in the time of the civil 
^rar. f 

Under the government of Cromwell, it is pro- 
bable that the townsfolks suffered in their for- 



* This conjeduie receives fup^ort from a paflage in the chapter of King 
William HI. purporting that the premifes in queftion had been concealed, or 
detained from government. Mr. Stumpe's grant, hov^'ever, plainly ihews how 
the corporation acquired this property, though the fum paid for it feems to hav^ 
been much below its value, even at that period. 

t Vid. Sea. I. ad fin. 

tunes, 



[ 125 ] 

tunes, for their attachment to the royal cause; 
and the dechne of the commerce and manufac- 
tures of Malmesbury, may with propriety be dated 
from this period. However, on the restoration of 
King Charles II. the corporation again suffered; 
for in consequence of the act of parliament which 
passed December 20, 1661,* a writ of quo war- 
ranto was issued for the seizure of its charters, on 
which judgment passed and was entered on record; 
though it does not appear that the charters were 
surrendered. But in the ensuing reign a charter 
of confirmation was granted, for restoring the cor- 
poration to its ancient privileges, nearly similar 
to that of Charles I. This appears to have been 
granted in consequence of the judgment in quo 
warranto, which had probably invalidated the for- 
mer charters. 

A few years after the Revolution, the members 
of the corporation forfeited all their civic privi- 
leges ; for the alderman, capital burgesses, and all 
the officers and servants of the borough, except the 
high steward, Thomas Lord Wharton, | had neg- 
lected to subscribe a certain association, in an act 
of parliament passed November 22, 1695; entitled, 
*an act for the better security of his majesty's royal 
person and government.' In consequence of this 
omission, they w^ere incapacitated for the offices 
they had held ; and the body corporate being de- 
prived of its principal members, could no longer ex- 

* Appendix, Note XXIX. f See Sett. IX. 

a ercise 



[ 126 1 

ercise its functions, but became extinct, in a po- 
litical point of view. Lord Wharton, however, so 
effectually pleaded the cause of the repenting bur- 
gesses, that a new and ample charter was granted 
them in the following year (1 696).* This charter 
extended the bounds of the borough; including 
within them the parishes of St. Paul, Malmesbury, 
St. Mary, Westport, and the precincts of the mo- 
nastery, now called the Abbey Parish. It establish- 
ed the legal existence and jurisdiction of the body 
corporate; and imparted the power of making a 
common seal. It appoints an alderman, twelve ca- 
pital burgesses, and twenty-four assistants. It fixes 
the time, &c. for the election of these officers, and 
limits the duration of their offices. It directs the 
election of a high steward, who is to act as a coun- 
sellor to the alderman and burgesses. It grants a 
power to meet in the Common Hall and hold coun- 
cils, and make bye laws for the government of the 
borough. It constitutes the alderman, high stew- 
ard, and their deputies justices of the peace. It 
declares the alderman and capital burgesses to be 
a body corporate in fact, deed, and name; with 
power to make additions to their property, or to 
dispose of the same or any part of it. It proceeds 
to notice landed property vested in the alder- 
man and capital burgesses. This consists chiefly 
of Sf, John's Hospital, (now used as the town- 
hall) and other lands and tenements to a con- 



* Appendix, Note XXX, 

siderable 



[ 127 ] 

siderable amount, situated in the counties of Wilts 
and Glocester, which had been possessed by the 
Knights Hospitalars ; the titles and occupations 
of which are specified at length. It charges the 
corporation with the payment of twenty pounds 
per annum, towards the support of a school and 
almshouse. It also confirms all the rights and pri- 
vileges of the corporation, and ordains that the 
enrolment of the deed shall be good in law. 

Beside the burgesses and assistants there are at 
present two orders of persons connected with the 
borough, styled landholders and commoners. — 
The commoners, who are called free burgesses in 
the latter charters, are the lowest members of the 
corporation. Their necessary qualifications are 
that they must be sons, or sons-in-law of capital 
or free burgesses, married and parishioners inhabi- 
tant ; and their chief privileges are the liberty of 
turning cattle on the common of Kingsheath, and 
the eligibility to the office of landholder. 

A situation between the assistant burgesses and 
the commoners, is occupied by the landholders, 
who are fifty-two in number. The office entitles 
them to the possession of an acre of land for life; 
and the vacancies in the class of assistant bur- 
gesses are filled up by elections from their body.^' 
. This ancient corporation has undoubtedly un- 
dergone considerable alterations in its internal po- 
lity since its first establishment; notwithstanding 

* Appeudix, Note XXXr. 

which 



[ 128 J 

^ 

which there are still some customs remaining, 
which point to those days of yore, when symbolic 
ceremonies superseded parchment conveyances.— 
The memory of their great benefactor King Athel- 
Stan, is also still kept up by an annual feast which 
bears his name, when the capital burgesses and 
their families are entertained at the expence of the 
corporation. 

Thus we have given a short account of the most 
important occurrences in the history of- this bo- 
rough ; of its civil constitution ; and of the prin- 
cipal privileges, pre-eminences, and emoluments 
enjoyed by the different classes of the body cor- 
porate. There is, however, one valuable privilege 
which we have not yet noticed ; the right of elect- 
ing members of parliament; which is, at present, 
claimed exclusively by the capital burgesses, as 
belonging to them from ancient custom ; for no 
mention of it is made in any of the charters. How 
long this right has been exercised by the burgesses, 
does not clearly appear; it has not, however, been' 
preserved without encountering some opposition 
from the other branches of the corporation. 

The town of Malmesbury sent members to par- 
liament very early. The precise time, when this 
privilege was first exercised, is uncertain. In a 
late publication* indeed we are told that this bo^- 
rough first sent members to parliament the twenty- 

* An entire and complete Hiftory, political and perfonal, of the Boroughs of 
Great-Britain ; 2 vols, 8vo. vol. ii. p. 474. Vide etiam Dr. Squire's Hiftori- 
cal EfTay on the Anglo-Saxon Government. Edit. I753> P' 44^» 

third 



[ 129 ] 

third year of Edward I. But if with Dr. Stuart, 
we admit that during the reigns of the Saxon mo- 
narchs, persons elected by the commons had seats 
in the JVittenagemote, or great national council,* 
we may, without offending against probabiHty, 
conclude that the inhabitants of Malmesbury sent 
representatives to that council soon after they be- 
came a corporate body. It must be acknowledged, 
however, that from the imperfection of the re- 
cords, which relate to the earlier periods of Eng- 
lish history, every thing that is adv^anced on the 
subject of Anglo-Saxon parHaments, must be in a 
great measure conjectural. 

Henry I. who called a council at Salisbury, 
from which he procured an order for raising asub- 



* ** Every free-man In Germany aflembled In perfon at the councils of his 
nation, or voted for the reprefentative of his diftrlft. The fame conduft was 
obferved in England, The pofleffion of land was the mark of freedom amongft 
the Saxons J and in thofe ftates of the heptarchy, where the people could appear 
In a body, every Individual who had felzed, or been endowed with territory, had 
a title to attend its councils : but in thofe which were more populous, and 
where the individuals could not be eafily collefted, the holders of lands gave 
their votes for reprefentatlves : and from the time that the Saxon kingdoms 
were united, the commons appeared generally in the way of reprefentation. 

** In every inferior court which had been formed in Germany and England, 
the free-men, or pofleflbrs of land in the territory over which It prefided, aflem- 
bled as the luiTORS there. Would we every where perceive the marks of a 
limited and free admlnlftration. In the loweft eftabllfliments, and yet find them 
to be wanting in that which was higheft and mofl Important ? It is Impofllble. 
The whole landholders among the Saxons were the Suitors of the council of.the 
nation. The boroughs, or towns, forming corporations and being endowed 
with land, had a title to be prefent by their deputies j and the wites, or wife 
men, who are mentioned as a part of the Anglo-Saxon parliament, were the 
Knights of the Shires, and the Borgeflles." Stuart on the Eng. Conftitution, 
p. 287, 28S, 289. 

sidy, 



[ 130 ] 

sidy, (by a tax on land,) wherewith to portion his 
daughter Mathilda, is usually represented as being 
the first monarch, at least after the conquest, who 
had a parliament. But the constitution of this 
assembly was probably so diiferent from those of 
later times, as hardly to deserve that name. 

It appears that writs were first issued for the 
return of members to parliament by Henry HI. 
The earliest writ extant is dated the forty-ninth 
year of his reign, 1£65. As aforementioned, the bo- 
rough of Malmesbury is usually considered as hav- 
ing been first summoned to return members to par- 
liament in the twenty-third year of Edward I. but 
Dr. Brady, in his historical treatise upon boroughs, 
notices that the first returns extant of knights, 
citizens, and burgesses, are dated in the twenty- 
sixth 3^ ear of the reign of that king. In that of 
Wiltshire for that year, annexed to the writ, there 
were returned two knights for the county, two 
citizens for New Sarum, two burgesses for Down- 
ton, two for the Devizes, two for Chippenham, 
and two for Ma hues bur]/, wiih -their manucaptors. 
It may be added, that writs were sent to the con- 
stable of Merleberge, and the bailiff of Calne and 
Wortle, who returned no ansv^er.*' At this pe- 
riod, and for some time after, returns of members 
to parliament were made in a very irregular man- 
ner I for the members of many corporations neg- 

* The original expreflion in the return is, " Conftabulario de Merleberge, 
e,t ballivis libertatis Calne et Wortle, qui nullum inde dederunt refponfum."— 
Thi-s return is ftill extant In the Towsr of London. Mr, Caley's MS. 

lected 



[ 131 ] 

lected to exercise their electorial rights. Instances 
of this omission occurred in the twelfth year of 
Edward III. when, as Dr. Brady informs us, the 
sheriff made his precept only to the boroughs of 
Wilton and Downton; and what is remarkable, he 
closes his return thus : " Non sunt plures civitates, 
7ieqne burgi infra hall'wam meam:'' i. e, there are 
no more cities nor boroughs within my bailiwick 
or county: notwithstanding Bedwin, Calne, Chip- 
penham, Cricklade, Devizes, Ludgershall, Marl- 
borough, and Malmesbury, had often returned 
burgesses to parhament, previous to this period, 
as appears from the records of returns in this and 
the two preceding reigns. In compliance with the 
writs issued in the thirty-sixth year of the reign 
of Edward III. two members were returned for 
the borough of Malmeshury, with their manucap- 
tors ; and also for nine more boroughs in this 
county — though Ludgershall did not send any 
members this year, notwithstanding it had exer- 
cised the right of election six times before this 
period. A similar omission of Ludgershall, and 
three more boroughs occurred in the forty-third 
year of the same king's reign; but Malmesbury 
returned two burgesses that year.^ 

From the date of the first return extant, to the 
reign of Henry V. there are many returns for the 
borough of ]\Ialmesbury, by indenture between 
the sheriff and divers persons, whose quality or 



« Mr. Caley*s MS. Appendix, Note XXXII. 

situation 



[ 132 ] 

situation in life is not noticed. The members are 
said to be returned pr^o commiinitatey for the com- 
munity. 

In the thirty- third year of the reign of Henry 
VI. 1455, a separate indenture for Malmeshury 
was returned for the first time. The indenture 
is considerably mutilated. In it the alderman is 
described thus : Aldermannus et uniis Burgen^ 
slum. Fourteen more names have been made out; 
and there appear to have been several names ob- 
literated, all which are styled Burgenses Biirgi 
pdcti. The election was made by them, and the 
common seal of the burgesses mentioned to be 
annexed ; but the seal is destroyed. 

There is extant a return by schedule annexed 
to the writ for the year 1477, in the reign of Ed- 
ward IV. The names of some electors are given, 
and many other persons are said to have been 
present. 

In the fii*st year of the reign of Queen Mary, 
there is an indenture between the sheriff, and the 
alderman and burgesses, purporting that the elec- 
tion was made by the latter, and their common 
seal affixed to it.^' This is the second separate re- 
turn for Malmeshury. f In the following year is 
an indenture of return, which differs from the 
last, in omitting the alderman. From this time 

• The old common feal made ufe of has this infcripdonj ** Conum figill' 
Burg* de Malmelbury." 

+ All the returns fubfecjuent to the accefllon of Queen Mary are by feparatc 

indentures. 

the 



[ 133 ] 

till the grant of a charter by Charles I. all the 
indentures represent the alderman and burgesses as 
the electors, and have their seal appended. 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Charles I. 
1640, which was four years after the corporation 
had received its new charter, is an indenture si- 
milar to the former; only that it contains a clause 
asserting that the alderman and burgesses elected 
for themselves, and the whole body, and inhabi- 
tants of the borough. It has affixed to it the old 
common seal. 

In the indenture of a return which took place 
the next year (l64l) the electors first assumed 
their new title. The election is said to be made 
by the capital burgesses, and signed by the alder- 
man only; but the old common seal was still used. 

The returns do not materially differ in their mode 
of expression, from this time to the year 1688: 
excepting that for the fourteenth of Charles 11. 
1663, in which the alderman and capital burgesses 
assert that they elect for themselves, and the whole 
body of inhabitants of the borough. 

There having been no opposition in the borough 
during this period, the common or free burgesses 
had perhaps lain inactive, and been inattentive to 
their rights, placing full confidence in the capital 
burgesses who acted under KingCharles's charter. 

But the abdication of James II. and the grand 
revolution which followed that event, caused a 
considerable sensation in the minds of the people; 
and led to a general enquiry into the extent of their 

R civil 



[ 134 ] 

civil and political rights. This enquiry was alsQ 
accelerated by the Prince of Orange's precept for 
the Convention Parliament,* which directs " the 
election to be made by such persons only, as ac- 
cording to the ancient law^s and customs of right, 
ought to choose members of parliament ; and that 
the electors cause a return to be made by cer« 
tificate, under their seal, of the names of the per- 
sons elected, (annexed to the letter) to the clerk 
of the crown, before the twenty -second day of 
January." 

Addressed — To the chief magistrate, or such 
others of the borough of Malmeshury, in the comi- 
ty of Wilts, who have a right to make returns of 
members to serve in parliament, according to the 
ancient usage of the said borough, before the sei- 
zure or surrender of charters made in the time of 
King^ Charles II, 

In compliance with tiiis precept, January 15th, 
1(789, a return was made by the alderman, accord- 
ing to the ancient usage of the borough, by the 
free and unanimous consent of tlie capital bur- 
2:esses and otlier inhabitants dulv assembled. The 
common seal was annexed ; and this testimonial 
signed by the alderman, 'ten capital burgesses, fif- 



•vf " Dec. 25, 16S8. The Peers prefent the' Prince of Orange, two ad- 

drefiesj the firft of thanks, &c. and to defire his Highnefs to accept the govern- 
ment : the fecond to iflue out letters for a Convention Parliament, to fit January 

2?.. 29, The Prince of Orange gave his anfwer to the faid addrefles. 

'* Jan. 5, 1689. The Prince of Orange publlfned an order for regulaj 
flections of convention-men.'*— —Pointer\? Chron. Hiit. of Eng. vol. i. 
"• ?54' 355 

teeu 



[ \S5 ] 

teen assktants, nineteen landholders, and twenty- 
seven commoners ; in all seventy two persons. 

On this occasion, it plainly appears that all the 
different memhers of the corporation exercised 
their civic rights, as electors; since it would be 
absurd to suppose that the assistants, landholders 
and commoners subscribed their names merely as 
witnesses to the election. 

Four years previous to this return Colonel Whar- 
ton had preferred a petition against the usurpation 
of the capital burgesses, in support of the rights 
of the other branches. This petition it is true 
was not tried, because the parliament w^as dissolved 
before the day of trial arrived; however this gen- 
tleman was elected again, January 15, 1689? by 
the joint interest of his former friends, and of 
those who had before opposed him. 

Mr. Wharton having been chosen for another 
place, for which he took his seat, a fresh election 
was made January 30th, 1689? w^hich differed 
from the former in nothing but the number of the 
electors whose names were subscribed to the return. 
They amounted to but sixty. 

In the year 1691, there is an indenture purport- 
ing that the election was made hy the alderman, 
with the whole assent and consent of the rest of 
the burgesses; having appended to it the common 
seal of tlie alderman and burgesses. 

In the following year a return w\as made which 
is said to have been »rith the assent of the capital 

bur- 



[ 136 ] 

burgesses; but it has the same common seal with 
the last affixed to it. 

In l696j a similar return took place. In I697, 
a contest happened. The members chosen by the 
capital burgesses were returned; but a petition 
against this proceeding was presented to the House 
of Commons, December 14, I69S. 

Early in the year 1699, a fi'esh election took 
place, and a dispute, and a petition followed. — 
On this occasion a particular agreement was made 
between the heads of the corporation, in which 
it was determined, that the right of election was 
in the alderman and twelve capital burgesses.^' 
Thus the inferior branches of this body were by 
a decree of their superiors, deprived of their title 
to assist in chusing members of parliament. But 
few attempts have been subsequently made to re- 
gain the privilege, and these have been almost 
entirely unsuccessful. 

In 1701, another contest occurred, when Daniel 
Parke, esq; stood on the right of the common- 
alty; but the return was made in the name of the 
capital burgesses. A petition was presented against 
it, in the name of the burgesses and inhabitants 
of the borough; however, the candidate having 
also alleged bribery against the sitting members, 
and failed in proving the allegation, it was re- 
torted upon hin; and he Avas taken into custody, 



* See Journal of the Houfc of Commons, yol. xil, p. 662. Apr. 24, 1699. 

and 



[ 137 ] 

and ordered to be prosecuted by the attorney- 
general. 

This petition seems to have had some effect, 
notwithstanding the candidate who preferred it 
did not succeed; for at the election which took 
place shortly after, on the accession of Queen 
Ann, in 1702, the right of voting was exercised 
m its fullest extent, by all the incorporators; the 
word capital being omitted in the return, which 
is said to have been made by the alderman, with 
the consent of the rest of the burgesses. 

But the capital burgesses soon reassumed the ex- 
clusive management of the elections; and in some 
of the following returns the other branches of the 
corporation wxre unnoticed. In the indenture of 
return relating the election of 1715, the members 
are said to have power ' pr^o bu7*go prcedicto.' 

No candidate appearing to support the popular 
interest, the borough remained quiet till the year 
1722. In which year a contested election hap- 
pened, in consequence of a division among the 
capital burgesses themselves. Lord Hillsborough 
and Sir John Rushout were returned; but a peti- 
tion complaining of the illegality of this election 
was presented to the House of Commons. At this 
time the agreement which had been made in 1699, 
Avas repeated.* By this agreement the right of 
election was vested in the alderman and capital 



■^ See Journal of the Houfe of Commons, vol. xx. p. 77* Dec. 13, 1722. 
Hift. of the Boroughs of Gr. Brit, vol, ii, p. 222. 

bur- 



[ 138 ] 

burgesses only; and for a long time after the other 
branches of the corporation silently acquiesced in 
the determination. Upwards of seventy years now 
elapsed before any material contest took place; 
during which period the alderman and capital bur- 
gesses exclusively exercised the privileges of elect- 
ing members to serve in parliament. 

At the general election which took place iu 
I796y the candidates were Peter Isaac Thelluson, 

esq; and • Smith, esq; who were supported 

by the major part of the capital burgesses ; and 

John George Vassar, esq; and • Luxford, 

esq; who depended on the interest of the remain- 
ing branches of the corporation. Mr. Thelluson 
and Mr. Smith Av^ere returned representatives for 
the borough ; against which return Mr. Yassar 
preferred a petition to the House of Commons. — 
A similar petition against the return Mas also pre- 
sented in the name of the free burgesses, inhabit- 
tants of the town. Only the first of these pe- 
titions was attended to. On the second of 
November, 179^, the committee of the House of 
Commons met, and proceeded to try the merits 
of Mr. Vassar's petition; which stated that the 
right of election of members to serve in parliament 
for the borough of ^slalmesbury was in the alder- 
man, capital burgesses, assistants, landholders, 
and commoners of the said borough. In support' 
of this statement reference was made to former 
returns previous to the grant of the charter of 
King Charles I. and a few since that time. 

The 



* [ 139 3 

The committee at length, after examining the 
arguments offered in support of the petition; and 
Hkewise those adduced in favour of the sitting 
memhers, determined that the latter were duly 
elected. 

Mr. Vassar, however, made another attempt to 
gain a seat in parliament for this borough ; and 
presented a petition to the House of Commons, 
in the following year. This petition was tried 
before a committee, in May following; and met 
with a fate similar to that of the former. ^ 

The event of this contest will probably prevent 
candidates in future, from venturing any lengths 
in opposition to the exclusive influence of the 
capital burgesses over the election of representa- 
tives for this borough. For since the decision of 
the tribunal, to which all appeals on this subject 
are carried, no person can with any probability of 
■success, stand for the borough on the interest of 
the free burgesses; unless some such alterations 
should take place in the representative part of our 
constitution, as have been proposed by the advo- 
cates for parliamentary reform.^ 

Perhaps one of the best arguments for this re- 
formation is the very unequal manner in which 
the privilege of electing representatives is exer- 
cised. In some boroughs, the right of electing 
is allowed to all the inhabitants of the borough 



* For a lift of the members of parliament for the borough of Malmefbury, 
fet Appendix, Note XXXUI. 

who 



[ 140 ] 

who dress their own food, as at Taunton; in 
others, this right is attached to persons dvveUing 
in some particular houses, as at Wcstbury ; in some 
cases, the right of chusing members for a borough 
is extended to all the freeholders of the hundred, 
in, which it is situated, as at Cricklade; again it 
is sometimes circumscribed to the members of a 
corporation. We have elsewhere observed that in 
former times the obligation to elect members of 
parliament was considered as a hardship.* This 
was at a period when those who were returned 
were so far from paying for their seats, that they 
received a settled stipend from their constituents, 
Probably this circumstance may, in some measure, 
account for the unequal distribution of elective 
rights ; for the privilege of sending members to 
parhament may have been coveted by a particular 
class of the inhabitants of one town, when a si- 
milar class in another may have been equally unable 
and unwilling to receive the same favour. 

The necessity for parliamentary reform has been 
acknowledged by several eminent statesmen. — 
When the question relative to this subject was last 
agitated in parliament, it was opposed by Mr. Pitt 
and others on the grounds of its ineligibilit}^ at 
that particular period; and not as a measure in 
itself dangerous and unconstitutional. The cele- 
brated Lord Chatham had his mind so strongly 
impressed with the imperfections in the represen- 



See page 13T, 

■ tative 



[ 141 ] 

tative part of the constitution, that he foretold 
that our rotten boroughs could not outlive the last 
century.* And although this prediction has not 
been fulfilled, yet the sagacity of that nobleman 
remains unimpeached; for the grand political re- 
volutions which have convulsed Europe since his 
death, have been so extraordinary as to defy the 
power of speculation ; and have so far involved the 
interest of governments in general, as to render 
it necessary for those that escaped the vortex to 
direct all their energy to the purposes of guarding 
against the encroachments of ambitious neigh- 
bours, and supporting their relative existence in 
the political scale ; and consequently rendered it 
dangerous to attempt any new modifications in 
the interior departments of the state. 

Before we conclude the civil history of Mal- 
mesbury, it will be proper to lay before the reader 
such information as can be collected relating to 
the manor. 

The earliest account upon record concerning 
the exercise of seignorial jurisdiction over this 
district, is the relation Avhich William of Malmes- 
bury gives of the deed m hereby Lutherius, bishop 
of the West Saxons, transferred to Aldhelm the ter- 
ritory of Malmesbury-t It is not, however, quite 
clear that this was an absolute transfer of manorial 



*• See Thoughts on Government, &c. by Geo. Rous, efqj 4th Edk, 1791, 
P- 45' 

f Vld. p. 37, huj. lib» 

^ property ; 



[ 142 ] 

property; for Leland informs us that a king of the 
West Saxons, and a bishpp of Winchester were the 
founders of this abbey.* Therefore it may be in- 
ferred that the charter of Lutherius was the joint 
act of Kenewalch, king of Wessex, and the bishop. 
vlt appears probable that the land here referred to 
was of no great extent ; for it is said to have been 
called ]\laildulfesburch, which denomination is 
supposed to have been derived from the name of 
the abbot Maildulf, or Meyldulph; and conse- 
quently is likely to have been restricted to the 
precincts of the monastery which he had erected; 
or, at most only to have included the neighbour- 
ing village and castle of Ingleburne. 

In after times it plainly appears that the regular 
jurisdiction of the abbot did not extend over the 
town; but was confined to the abbey, with its 
various affices and appendages ; which, however, 
occupied a considerable portion of land.t For in 
the charter granted by Edward the Confessor, in 
1065, the property then pertaining to the monas- 
tery is recited, bat the town of Malmesbury, is 
entirely omitted. At that period it appears to have 
formed part of the royal den>esnes. 

That valuable record of the state of landed pro- 
perty in this kingdom, in the reign of William I. 
which is usually stiled Domesday-book, shews that 
Malmesbury then belonged to the crown; and 
the revenues which it yielded sufficiently demon- 



* Leiafld's Itinerary, vol. iu -f Seep. 47* 

strate 



[ us ] 

strate its importance, as the following abstract 
will evince. 

" The king has 26 messuages in the borough of 
Malmesberie, and 25 other messuages, that pay no 
taxes. These houses pay 10 pence each, as rent, 
in all 42 shillings and six pence. Half a ruined 
messuage, part of the fee of the Bishop of Bayeux, 
does no services. The abbot of Malmesberie has 4 
messuages and a half, and the out-burgesses have 
9 cottagers, (coscez) who are assessed with the 
burgesses. The abbot of Glastonbury has 2 mes- 
suages. Edward the sheriff 3 messuages. Radulf 
de Mortemer has 1 and a ha/lf. Durand de Glou- 
cestre 1 and a half. William de Ow 1. Humphrey 
de L'isle 1. Osbern Giifard 1. Alured de Merle- 
bergh has half a ruined messuage. Geoffry Ma- 
ris cal the like. Tovi has one messuage and the 
fourth part of another, Drogo the son of Ponz 
half a one. The wife of Edric has one. Roger de 
Berchelai holds 1 under the king; and Ernulf de 
Hesding the like, which he unguardedly took pos- 
session of. These two do no services. The king 
has a waste spot of land which belonged to Azor."* 

" The king receives — from the third penny of 
Malmesberie 6 pounds, "f 



* Wiltshire, extradled from yomefday-Book j to which is added a tranflation 

of the original Latin into Engliih, By Henry P. Wyndham, 8vo. 1738* 

^.3 and 5. 

The extrafts quoted above, are fomewhat abridged from Mt. Wyndhara*5 

tranflation* 

t Uid.p, 13, 

*^ Walter 



[ 144 ] 

'' Walter H6sed pays the king 8 pounds from. 
Q parts of the borough of Malmesherie, and the 
borough itself paid as much T. R. E.* and the 
pleas of the hundreds of Cicemtone and Siiteles- 
berg wtYQ holden in this manor, which belonged 
to the king. The borough pays 100 shillings in 
money. The Earl Harold had an acre of land in 
this borough, in which are 4 messuages and 6 
others ruinous, and a mili pays 10 shillings. All 
this paid T. R. E. 100 shiUings; and v/hen the 
king undertook any expedition, by sea or land, 
he accepted either 20 shillings towards the main- 
tenance of his sailors, or took with him one man 
for the honour of 5 hides."! 

''The bishop (of Coutances) holds Malmesherie. 
Gislebert held it T. R. E. when it was assessed at 
1 hide. Here is half a ploughland. Three yard- 
lands are in demesne, where is the half a plough- 
land, with S borderers (bordarii.) Here are 4 acres 
of meadow; and the pasture is in length 2 furlongs, 
and in breadth 1. It is worth \S shillings.":}: 

'' Chetel holds 1 hide in Malmesherie. Godwin 
held it T. R. E. Here is one ploughland, which is 
in demesne with 2 borderers (bordarii.) Here 
are 6 acres of meadow; and the pasture is 3 fur- 
longs in length, and half a furlong broad. It is 
Avorth 20 shillings. "§ 

* Tempore Regis Edvardi. — i. e . In the tirfle of King Ed ward the Confeflbr . 
+ Ibid. p. 15. t Ibid, p, 91. (> Ibid, p, 481. 

In 



[ 145 ] 

In order to explain in some measure the above 
extracts, it is necessary to observe that daring tlie 
existence of feudal tenures in England, nearly the 
M hole of the kingdom was divided into a number 
of manors; some of which the king kept in his 
own hands, and the rest were granted to certain 
persons, on condition of their rendering knight's- 
service. These were called tenants in capite; and 
some of these tenures continued till thev were set 
aside by the statute 12 Car. II. cap. S^. The ma- 
nors Mdiich were thus held of the crown, were 
leased out by the lord to others under certain con- 
ditions. The dominium or demesne was usually 
kept by the lord himself, and was overlooked and 
tended by his servi or slaves; with respect to 
whom he possessed a power as absolute as a West- 
India planter possesses over his negroes. The rest 
of the manor was allotted to the villani, bordarii, 
coliberti, coscez, and cotarii, who were obliged to 
perform certain services, in return for the lands they 
occupied. From these several orders of subtenants 
have arisen the various kinds of leasehold, and 
copy-hold tenures which exist at present. 

The coscez and bordarii alone are mentioned in 
the preceding extracts. The former of these who 
are sometimes called coshes, i. e. couchees, (for the 
word seems to be derived from the French coucher, 
to lie down,) were obliged to furnish their lord 
and his retinue with lodgings, when ever they 
chose to demand it. The service which the bor» 
darii were obliged to perform, was that of furnish- 
ing 



[ 145 ] 

ing the lord with poultry, eggs and other menial 
provisions.''^ 

The other terms mentioned in the extracts, refer 
to the measurement of arable land.-— A hide (hida) 
appears to have been an uncertain portion of land 
that might annually have been worth about twenty 
Norman shillings ; and as the value depended upon 
the quality of the land, it consisted accordingly of 
a greater or less number of acres in proportion to 
their poverty or fertility. A ploughland (carucata) 
was a measure somewhat arbitrary, but may be fixed 
on an average at one hundred and twenty acres. 
A yard land (mrgata) was the fourth part of a 
ploughland. — There is a circumstance (in the se- 
cond of the foregoing extracts) which deserves 
special notice. A mill is said to have paid ten 
shillings, and in another part of domesday book 
twenty shillings. The privilege of building mills 
seems to have been granted by the lords only to 
particular persons, and under the special con- 
dition of having an annual rent in money; which 
rents generally appear to have been beyond all 
proportion higher than the value of the other parts 
of the estate. The profits arising from them must 
therefore have been certain and considerable : per- 
haps the tolls of the mills, and the general ne- 
cessity of bread (of Avhich there could be no fear 

* Probably the bor'darii, (borderers) were fd called from their living on th< 
frontiers or borders of manors which were in early times no doubt, wafte and un- 
cultivated. Perhaps on this account they fupported themfelves by feeding fowls, 
&c. onlv, as the nature of the land prevented them from raifing grain. 



[ 147 3 

of a sale) made the payments in money easy.-r- 
Mills are of high antiquity, and for an obvious rea- 
son. The mill noticed in these extracts, may pro- 
bably have been situated on the same spot with one 
of those now standing. The distinction between 
meadow and pasture in domes'day, is, that meadow 
is appropriated to those grass grounds that were 
mowed, and pasture to those which were fed.* 

If succeeding monarchs had imitated the policy 
of William the Norman, in procuring surveys of 
the landed property of the kingdom to be made, 
similar to that contained in the domesday-book, 
it would have been an easy task to have traced the 
descent of manorial property. But as no general 
survey has been made from that of William, to the 
present time, it is often impossible to discover the 
intermediate proprietors of any particular domain. 
Charters, seignorial grants, and title deeds have 
sometimes been destroyed to forward the ends of 
designing persons; and during periods of anarchy, 
or civil war, valuable records of this description 
have been sacrificed by the indiscriminating ven- 
geance of riotous mobs, or ignorant and ungovern- 
able soldiers. As Malmesbury has not been ex- 
empted from these misfortunes, but has suffered 
particularly at the dissolution of monasteries, and 

-'■ ' I • < - ' i ■ ■ ■ I ' B ' 

* The reader who wifhes for further information relative to the origin and 
nature of feudal tenures, will do well to confult the following authorities from 
whence the above remarks have been taken. Chriftian's edit, of Blackftone'e 
Comment, b. ii. chap, 4. 5. Wyndham's Wiltfh. extracted from DomcCday- 
Book, pref, p. 5. et fe<j. Month. Rey. enlarg. Vol, ii. p, 329, 330. 

also 



[ 148 ] 

also probably at the taking of the town by the 
parliament forces, it cannot be expected that a re- 
gular history of the descent of the manor can be 
given. We have howevTr, discovered a few par- 
ticulars relative to persons who were seized of the 
manor at different periods; with an account of 
which we shall conclude this section. 

In the reign of Henry II. Robert Fitzharding 
the first Lord Berkeley, of Berkeley, had the town 
and castle of Malmesbury, in Wiltshire; with all 
the lands and hundreds to the town and castle be- 
longing, granted him by the king, to hold at the 
rent of thirteen pounds ten shillings, for which he 
paid one hundred marks in silver, according to 
the letter patent.* 

The abbot and convent o^ Malmesbury pro- 
bably became possessed of the town and castle 
in the reign of King John ; for upon the patent 
rolls of the seventeenth year of that king, there is 
a grant, or confirmation to the abbot and convent 
of Malmesbur}^ of the manor of Malmesbury: 
and upon the charter rolls of the same year, a re- 
cord " p7^o Villa et Castro de Malmesbury cum 
Libert atibiis in tribus Hundredis,'''\ 

Queen Isabel (King John's widow) also granted 
a charter to the abbot and monks confirming the 
town of Malmesbury to them, at a free-farm rent 
of twenty pounds. 

* From Smith's Lives of the Berkeley's, MS. in Berkeley Caftle, p. 73. 
cpmratthicated by Mr. Foibrooke. 

i Mr. Caley's MS.- 

the 



[mi 

In the thirty-firiSt year of the same reign, the 
fee-farm of twelve pounds, from Malmesbury, was 
granted to William Elton, esq.* 

Elizabeth Woodville, the beautiful Queen of 
Edward IV. derived a part of her revenue from 
this manor. " Twenty pounds per annum from 
the farm of the town of Malmesbury, was ordered 
to be paid by the abl>ot, or sheriff of the county, as 
a part of the pin-money of Elizabeth, Queen of 
Edward IV. according to the patent rolls of the 
seventh year of that king's reign. "f 

Notwithstanding these grants of rents arising 
from the manor, to particular persons, yet w^e 
may consider the abbot as having been the primary 
holder and Lo7^d of the Manor, until the dissolu- 
tion of monasteries. A few years before this de- 
privation took place, we find from the patent rolls 
of the twenty-first of Heniy VIII. that a fine was 
paid for a confirmation of charters and liberties to 
that avaricious monarch. :|: 

Richard Frampton, who was the last abbot, re- 
signed the monastery and its revenues into the 
hands of the king, December 15,- 1539. The 
lordship of Malmesbury, did not continue long 
in the possession of Henry, for in the year 1545, 
he sold the scite of the abbey and the surrounding 
demesne for fifteen hundred pounds, to William 
Stumpe, esq; of Malmesbury. § 



* See the pat. rolls, 39 Hen, VI. -f Fofbrooke, 

"^ Idem* R Grofc's Antiquities*— Mapfon's MS, 

T How 



[ 1^0 ] 

How long it continued in the possession of this 
gentleman and his family, is uncertain; indeed 
after this period nothing but a few detached me- 
morandums relative to the manor have fallen un- 
der our notice. It appears that some persons of 
respectability, named Stumpe, were connected with 
this town during the interval between the reign of 
Henry VHL and that of James I. but we cannot 
affirm that they were lords of the manor. 

In the seventh year of Queen Elizabeth, Henry 
Knyvett, esq; laid claim to the demesne in ques- 
tion ;^ and we may infer from a deed, whereby he 
granted the abbey to the townsmen for a parish 
church, f that he was proprietor of it in the follow- 
ing year which is the date of the grant. It seems 
that Mr. Knyvett, did not keep undisturbed pos- 
session of his new acquisition; for in the tenth 
year of this queen's reign, William Pore, alias 
Capper, claimed the manor of Malmesbury,;}: but 
we are ignorant of the result of his attempt. 

Ann Warneford widow, died, seized of the scite 
of the manor of Malmesbury, in 1631, and Wil- 
liam Plomer, son of Ann, wife of Plomer, an^ 

third daughter of the above Ann Warneford, was 
found to be the heir. William Cole, of Bristol, 
was at that time lessee of the above lands. § 

-' . ' ■■ , . -I r i» 

* Mich. Rec. 7 Eliz. rot. i6i. Fofbrookc's Auxil. Col. for Wiltfhirc, M.S' 
f See Appendix, Note XVUI. 
+ HiU Rec. 10. Elfz, rot. 23, FofbrooJce. 
^ In^uifitiones poft mortem. Com. by Mr. Folbrooke. 

From 



[ 151 ] 

From Fuller's Church History, we learn that 
Thomas Ivye, esq;^ held it in 1656. 

In I67I5 God wyn Wharton, esq; was lord of the 
manor. f This gentleman's family, and also that 
of the Warnefords, were related to the Stumpes, 
as appears from a monument in the abbey churche 
Mr. Wharton, who served as member of parlia- 
ment for Malmesbury in the year I695, seems to 
have been possessor of the manor for a number of 
years. How long it continued the property of 
the family is uncertain, but there is reason to be- 
lieve that Thomas Lord Wharton, afterwards Mar- 
quis of Wharton and Malmesbury, and also Philip 
Duke of Wharton (so notorious for the greatness 
of his abilities and the profligacy of his manners) 
were both lords of the manor, and it is not impro- 
bable that it was alienated by the latter. 

Our attempts to learn the particulars of the sub- 
sequent descent of this lordship have been unaTail- 
ing. We can only therefore inform the reader 
that the present proprietor of the manor of Mal- 
mesbury, is Lord Northwick, who inherits it from 
his father, the late Lord Northwick, formerly 
Sir John Rushout. 

This town, as is noticed above, gave the title of 
Marquis to the family of Wharton. The title be- 
came extinct on the death of Philip Duke of Whar- 
ton, in 1731. Malmesbury now gives the titles of 



* Vid. p. 71. 
•f Inquifitloncs poft mortem^ com, by Mr- Fosbrooke. 

Bar6n 



[ 152 ] 

Baron and Earf, to the Right Honourable James 
(Harris^) Earl of Malmesbury, Viscount Fitz- 
h arris, of Ham-Court, in the county of South- 
hampton, Baron Malmesbury, and Knight of the 
most honourable Order of the Bath. 



* Lord Malmesbury is the fon of James Harris, esq; of Salilbury, well 
known in the Titerary world, as the author of a philofophical grammar, entitled 
Hermes^ and feveral other ingenious works* 



SECTION 



hi 









1;^ 












y4 



^^sl^i^^llM^i 




,pB^3^oij:^ 



^^o^ 



[ ^o3 ] 



SECTION VII. 

Of the Situation of the Town — Its present State — 
Public Buildi?igs — Trade and Manufactures-^ 
Chaintable Institutions and Donations. 



THE town of Malmesbury is situated on an 
eminence, which is peninsulated by two 
streams that unite to form the lower Avon.^ One 
of them comes from Newnton, through Broken- 
borough, to the north-west corner of the town, 
and running in a north-east direction, near the 
bridge at the south-east end of the town, meets 
with the grand head of the Avon, which comes 
from the village of Luckington, about seven miles 
off, and running along the southern side of the 
town, by its confluence with the other stream, 
makes the peninsula. The Avon also receives here 
a third branch, which comes from Oaksey through 
Hankerton, Charleton, and Gersdon. After this 
confluence, it runs S. W. to Chippenham, receiv- 
ing several small streams during its course. Then 



* Avon is a name common to feveral rivers in different parts of England 5 
there is one which rifes about the middle of this county, called the Upper Avon, 
this is fometimes confounded with the river defcribed above. The Lower Avon 
according to Camden, fervcd as a boundary to divide the kingdom of Weffex, 
h»m that of Mercia* 



meeting 



[ 154 ] 

meeting with a branch from Corsham, it goes to 
Laycock and Melksham, and receiving some small 
streams passes on to Staverton, and S. W. of that 
place, meets with the Were. After this it runs to 
Bradford, and from thence to Freshford, a little to 
the east of which it is joined by the Frome. The 
Avon then passes on to Bath wick and Bath, receiv- 
ing in its course some considerable streams. Then 
It goes to Keynsham, where it receives the Chute* 
After this confluence it runs to Briselton, and then 
to Bristol, beneath which it receives a small stream 
on each side, and passes on by Clifton and Cro- 
camphill, into the Bristol Channel. 

Being situated on the road from London to Bath 
and Bristol, the town was formerly a considerable 
thoroughfare; but a new road having been made, 
some years past, Malmesbury is less frequented 
than formerly. It lies ninety- five miles west of 
London, and about twenty-one N. E. of Bath. 

The turnpike roads in the neighbourhood, arc 
in general exceedingly good ; but this may be re- 
garded as a modern improvement, since many of 
the inhabitants of the town recollect the construc- 
tion of the present roads, and the comparatively 
impassable state of the public ways, leading to the 
neighbouring towns at some seasons. 

About the middle of the last century, many 
turnpike acts w^ere passed, and from that period 
the general amendment of the public roads in the 
west of England may be dated. Though this 
must have been a very desirable object, neverthe- 
less 



[ ^05 ] 

less it appears from the periodical publications of 
that era, to have met with opposition from the 
occupiers of land in that part of the kingdom. 
Among other documents, the Gentleman's Maga- 
zine has preserved a satirical poem intitled ^ Dick 
the Western Farmer's Petition against Tur?ipikes.' 
The following lines form a part of this curious^'e?^ 
d' esprit : 

The Irish horse ploughed with a rope to his tail. 
Till an outlandish viceroy perverted the scale. 
And we, if the great ones will let us alone, 
Would poach in our dirt, for that dirt is our own: 
And pray can you make me a handsomer show, 
Than a farmer belaced with rich earth like a beau ? 
Where's the pleasure to dream on a uniform plain, 
And what is so cool as a road full of rain? 
A precipice still makes the prospect more airy. 
If you fracture your neck — 'tis a comic vagary. 
Nine inches of track are enough for a peasant. 
And gentry wont travel if roads are unpleasant: 
And why should they travel who have nothing to do. 
But to fool away money, and the country to view ?* 

The northern division of the county in which 
this town is situated, (formerly overrun with fo- 
rests, and at present sprinkled with woods) is hilly 
but fertile. 

The scenery around Malmesbury, 

Where the winding vale its lavish stores, 
Irriguous, spreads, -^ .f 

is not uninteresting. And though here are none of 
the extensive hills, the bold precipices, and the 

» Gent, Mag, vol. xxiii^ p, 44^ f Th»infon'fi Scafons, Spring, v, 49i» 



[ 1.^6 ] 

dark forests which vary the prospect in the neigh- 
bouring county of Glocester, yet the views may 
be deemed by some not less pleasing, though cer- 
tainly less picturesque. 

Those, however, who can relish the scenery pre- 
sented by a highly cultivated country, composed 
of gently rising grounds, and shallow vales, chec- 
quered with blooming orchards and grazing herd^ 
may, during the genial season of spring, receive 
a considerable portion of gratification from those 
views which the Maldunian landscapes afford. 

Though this town is at present surpassed by 
many in neatness and elegance of appearance, yet 
there is reason to believe that a few centuries ago, 
its magnificent abbey, its castle, and its fortifi- 
cations, combined with the other buildings, to ren- 
der it equal if not superior to any town in the 
county. The arrangement of the principal streets 
is regular and convenient. The High-street com- 
mencing at the market cross immediately opposite 
the south front of the abbey, passes some way in a 
straight line, then bending towards the east, crosses 
a bridge over the Avon, mentioned by Leland in his 
Itinerary,* and terminates at the grand and ex- 
tensive building raised by Francis Hill, esq; for 
the purpose of carrying on the clothing manufac- 
ture. At the top of this last runs a street called 
Oxford-street ; its direction is from west to east. 
The isolated steeple of the parish church of St. 

* Vol. 1i, 

Paul, 



[ 1^7 ] 

Paul, 13 situated at its western termination ; from 
thence it passes along the Jop of the High-street, 
to the Workhouse. The situation of these two 
streets is such as to form a figure resembhng that 
of tlie letter T. Parallel with the High-street, 
and a little to the east of it, is a street called Sil- 
ver-street, which passing from south towards the 
north, through a square called Cross-Hayes, meets 
the end of Oxford-street at the Workhouse, and 
a little farther on terminates in the road leading 
to Cricklade, Oxford, &c. The only remaining 
street of importance is one called the Abbey-row, 
w^iich commencing not far from the west end of 
the abbey leads through Westport, dividing at 
length into two branches; one of which terminates 
in the road to Tetbury and Glocester, and the 
other in the road by the Cross- Hands to Bristol. 

Many streets existed here formerly of which 
no traces are now to be perceived ; though the 
names of several of them are preserved in old char- 
ters, title deeds, and other ancient records. TliQ 
most important objects of attention in this town 
are the remains of antiquity : as these have been 
ah'eady described, the more modern public build- 
ings next come under our notice. 

These are of three classes. — Buildings devoted 
to the purposes of public worship; manufactories; 
and charitable foundations. 

The first class comprehends the church of St, 
Mary, in the parish of Westport/ and four dissent- 
ing cliapels^ 

V The 



" [ 158 ] 

"jThe parish of Westport within the borough has 
a church, which is a chapel of ease to the vicarage 
of Charlton/' a village about two miles from the 
town. The oldest inscription which has been dis- 
covered in it, is dated in the year 167C. The pre- 
sent edifice is (comparatively sj^eaking) modern. 
There was doubtless a church that stood on or near 
the same spot heretofore. For Hobbes informs us, 
in the account he has given us of his life, that his 
father, was the minister of Westport church in 
the year 1558, and we learn from Willisf that 
J. Wymbole, was the officiating priest in 1553. 

In the parish of Westport also is situated the 
place of public worship, belonging to the presby- 
terians. It was rebuilt in the year 1788. This 
dissenting interest has been of long standing, as 
may be inferred from the deed that respects the 
first place of worship, and also from the following 
anecdote, communicated by an aged member of 
the congregation. It appears, that in troublesome 
times, the minister and people assembled for di* 
vine worship in what is now called the old par- 
sonage house: one of the town, from whom the 
minister then suffered persecution, was afterwards 
so circumstanced as to need his protectfon; on 



* Wiltlhire. Living remaining in Charge. 

WESTPORT. 

icing's Books. C Vicarage with Charlton, and the 7 Yearly Tenths, 
i61, 17s. Sd. I Chapel of Brokenborough. J il. 13s. gfd. 

Bi»eman's Rdyal & Ecciefxaftical Gaz. or Clergyman's Pocket Kalcndar. p. 124. 

-f- Hlft, of Parliamentary Mitred Abbles. Vol. Ji'. . 

which 



[ m ] 

which occasion, this minister exemphfied that 
most amiable Christian virtue, which consists in 
rendering good for evil. Matt. v. 44, 45. 

As it appears the Rev. S. Gawen, vicar of the 
parish of St. Paul, Malmesbury, was ejected from 
thence by the act of uniformity,* it is probable 
that by him this society was established. 

The chapel belonging to the Anabaptists, is si- 
tiiated in the parish of St. Mary, Malmesbury, 
commonly called the abbey parish. It was rebuilt 
in 1802. It appears that this religious society has 
subsisted in Malmesbury, ever since the year 1720. 

In that part of the town called Holloway, is the 
place of worship belonging to the Moravians, 
erected about ten years since. 

The followers of George Whitfield, have a house 
in Silver-street, which is opened for public wor- 
ship on Sundays. This society of methodists owes 
its origin to the Rev. Mr. Davis, a clergyman of 
the established church, who died at Malmesbury 
a few years since. 

The second class of public buildings consists of 
those which are devoted to the purposes of trade. 
Of these none are of sufficient importance to merit 
notice, except two spacious manufactories built 
some years since, by F. Hill, esq. One of these 
buildings is situated at the extremity of the town, 
where the road leading to Chippenham begins.— 
Here nearly all the operations necessary for making 

* See Appendir, Note XXXIV, 

superfine 



[ 160 ] 

superfine broad-cloth are carried on.=* Mr. Stuinpe, 
a great clothier here, in the reign of Henry VIII. 
(according to tradition) had a manufactory on ot 
near the same ispot with that just mentioned. On 
the western side of the town is situated another 
manufactory, smaller than the last, belonging also 
to Mr. Hill. 

Repeated notices have already been given of 
the state of the clothing trade at Malmesbury, in 
former timeiS. The town has been celebrated for 
its share in this branch of manufacture, almost 
ever since it has been introduced into England. 

The members of the merchants' guild, already 
mentioned, page 1 1 2, were probably engaged en- 
tirely in the prosecution of the clothing trade. — 
The register-boak of the abbey contains some do- 
cuments which prove that there were some person^ 
of rank who belonged to this corporation. Leland 
is the earliest author who gives any particular in- 
formation relative to the state of trade in this town. 
He informs us that when he visited Malmesbury, 
(towards the middle of the sixteenth century) every 
corner of the vast hoiises of office which had be- 
longed to the abbey were full of looms to weave 
cloth in, that it was intended to make a street or 
two for clothiers, in the back vacant ground of 

* A defcription of the variou* proceites which wo6l andergots in being ma- 
aufadVured into cloth, would have been introduced here, h^d our limits admitted 
o( it J but asfimilar accounts are to be found in feverai modern publications, 
this omiflion will not be regretted by many of our readers. Thofe who may be 
at a lofs where to feek for information on this fub}e€l arc referred to Britten's 
Beauties of Wiltfhire. Vol, ii% 

the 



[ 161 ] 

the abbey ; and that about three thousand cloths 
were annually made in this place.* Camden says, 
that in Queen Elizabeth's reign, Malmesbury was 
in good repute on account of the clothing trade. f 
In a deed that bears date 1654, relating to a do- 
nation to the poor of Malmesbury, from a Mr. 
Grayle, he is said to have been a clothier and to 
have gained a plentiful estate in this town. King 
William's charter expresses that the borough was 
then inhabited by burgesses and others, largely 
carrying on the clothing trade and merchandize. 
We find from a work published in 17^9, that the 
manufacture of medly clothing, drugget making, 
and fine Spanish clothing, was carried on at that 
time in the county of Wilts, from Warminster 
south, to Malmesbury north inclusive. J About 
the middle of the eighteenth century at Malmes- 
bury it became extinct. 

It is somewhat probable there was a silk manu- 
facture, in this town. In the parish register is the 
following memorandum. ** February 26th, 1687, 
Robert James, of Malmesburie, silk weaver, wa5 
th^n declared in the abbey church, to be the parish 
clerk of Malmesburie, upon the death of Nathaniel 
Speak, broad weaver, and the late parish clerk." 

Malmesbury, was famous in ancient times, for 
its annual fair, when a great number of strangers 
assembled. The fair and the method adopted to pre* 

4f Leland*s Itin. Vol. iL + Camd. Britannia. 

+ Ths Gentleman's and Farmer's Guide, by R, Bradley, F,R,S. p. 43. 

vent 



[ 16^2 ] 

%ent disorders, amidst such a concourse of people,, 
are thus noticed by Leland. *' The toune hath a 
great privileg of a fair, about the fest of St. Aid- 
elm, at which time the toune kepith a band of har- 
nesed men to see peace kept: and this is one of 
the bragges of the toune, and thereby they be fur- 
nished with barneys."* The fair was kept (tradi- 
tion says) in a meadow which lies a little to the 
sputh-west of the town, and to the present time 
bears the name of St. Aldhelm's Mead. It is now 
the property of the Earl of Suffolk. This fair has 
been long discontinued. 

The manufacture of woollen cloth at Malmes- - 
bury, having been entirely giv6n up about 1750, 
no attempts were made to revive it till within these 
ten or twelve years, when the extensive manufac- 
tory beforementioned, which furnishes employ- 
ment for great numbers belonging to the lower 
classes of society, was first established by Francis 
Hill, esq. 

The only trades and manufactures of importance 
carried on at Malmesbury, that remain to be no- 
ticed, are, brewing, tanning, lace-making, (which 
used to be the principal employment of the lower 
ranks of females, but is now almost superseded by 
the introduction of the clothing trade) garden- 
ing, the manufacture of leather, gloves, parch- 
ment, glue, &c. 

These different manufactures afford ample em- 
ployment for the poor inhabitants of this town. 

* Itin, Vol. ii. Jt 



[ 163 ] 

It ts to be lamented that those in the surrounding 
country parishes are far from being equally well 
employed. Previous to the invention of the nume- 
rous machines which are used in the making of wool- 
len cloth, large quantities of wool were brought 
into this neiohbourhood bv clothiers from Glo- 
cestershire, and elsewhere, in order to be spun into 
yarn. A considerable number of persons, chiefly 
females, were thus furnished with employment, of 
which they have been deprived by the new and 
improved arrangements in this branch of the cloth- 
ing trade. — Malmesbury has a weekly market on 
Saturdays^, for butcher's meat and other provisions. 
This has long been very inconsiderable, but there 
is a market for cattle, swine, &c. held the last 
Tuesday in each month, called '^ The Great Mar- 
ket;" which is in general very numerously attend- 
ed. This has been established about ten ^^ears. — • 
There are also three fairs annually, chiefly for the 
sale of horses and black cattle. The first is held 
on the 28th of March — The second on the 28th 
of April — and the third on the 5 th of June. 

The third and last class of public buildings to be 
noticed, comprehends those designed for the recep- 
tion of objects of charity. There are no buildings 
of this description at Malmesbury, that are par- 
ticularly remarkable; all those that were formerly 
attached to the monastery having been destroyed 
long since, or applied to other purposes. The only 
charitable foundations to be mentioned are two 
almshouses; one of them endowed by the corpora- 
tion, 



[ 16'4 ] 

tion, and subsCiquently by Michael Weekes, esq. 
This is situated adjoining to the arched gateway 
mentioned page ^7, The other ahnshouse was 
founded and endowed by Robert Jenner, citizen 
and goldsmith of London, but the endowment 
was lost more than half a century ago. This 
building is situated in Holloway. Neither of 
these ahnsliouses have any thing in their appear- 
ance which distinguislies them from the habitations 
of paupers, with wliich they are surrounded. 

There is also a free-school partly supported by a 
stipend from the corporation, with an additional 
endowment left by iMichael Weekes, esq. Another 
free-school in this town is endowed with a salary of 
thirty pounds per annum, left by Mrs. Elizabeth 
Hodges, of Sliipton Moyne, in the county of 
Glocester.* 

The amount of the parish rates for the relief of 
paupers in this town at different periods, confirm^ 
the conclusions that have been drawn from an 



* There are fcveral charitable donations which are not conne£led with 
the buildings noticed above. The principal of thefe are the profits of an cftate 
in the parift of Lea, left by Mr. Arch j ten pounds perlnnutn by Mr. Grayle* 
for apprenticing poor children } the intereft of one hundred pounds in the 3^ 
per cent, confolidated bank annuities, IJy Mrs. Rowlcsj foyr hundred pounds by 
Mr, Arnold to purchafe bank ftock, the intereft arifing fron» which to be laid 
out in bread for the poor; and two pounds per annum to be diftributcd in fix- 
penccs left by Mr. CuUurnc. The catalogue of public charities here Is by no 
means equal to thofe which fome towns can boait of. But this is not perhaps 
on the wboje 3 circumstance much to be regretted \ for revenues appropriated 
to this purpofe are fometimcs mifapplied^ and it not unfrequently happens that 
in confequencc of their being beftowed on improper objefts the poor's rate i> 
aoj in the leail di'miniihcd by the exiftencc of fuch bencfaftions, 

ex- 



r 165 ] 

examination into the state of this burthensonie 
impost in other situations. The following memo* , 
randums will shew that the increase of the poor's 
rate, during the space of one hundred and forty 
years, bears no relative proportion to the altera- 
tion in the value of landed property, or to the 
difference in the price of provisions. All the rates 
collected for the support of the poor in the town 
parish, in the year 1664, did not exceed the sum 
of eighteen pounds, seven shillings, and two-^ 
pence. The paupers who then received paroc^iial 
assistance wxre only eight in number. In the year 
1801, the amount of the rates was nearly four 
hundred pounds; and since that time it is most 
enormously increased. 

The general inference to be drawn from these 
statements is certainly not in favour of the present 
system of poor laws. Indeed, when we consider 
that the act of parliament which provides for the 
relief of paupers, w^as made in the reign of Queen 
Elizabeth, and that it introduced new regulations 
into the police of this country, we may conclude 
that the imperfections now discovered in the sys- 
tem arise in a great measure from the alterations 
that have taken place in the state of society, dur- 
ing the long period that has elapsed since it was 
enacted. But whatever may be the cause of the 
acknowledged insufficiency of the poor laws, it is 
certainly desirable that they should be amended, 
or renewed. Many plans have been devised for 
this purpose, though none of them have as yet 

X been 



C 166 ] 

been carried into execution; it is therefore the 
duty of those who are engaged in the manage- 
ment of the poor, to adopt such regulations as 
may be most suitable in particular districts, and 
to apply the existing laws in the most advanta- 
geous manner.* 

Among the various methods which have been 
practised with a view to ameliorate the condition 
of the lower ranks of people, there is none perhaps 
more praiseworthy, or effectual, than the well- 
known institution of Sunday Schools, These semi- 
naries have been the means of rescuing many indi- 
viduals from a state of ignorance and barbarism, 
and making them valuable members of society. 
A Sunday school was established at Malmesbury, 
some years since, and it had for a time the hap- 
piest effects; but in consequence of some particular 
circumstances it was set aside, and it has not since 
been revived. 

The town of Malmesbury probably contained 
a much greater number of inhabitants anciently 
than it does at present; but it appears from aa 
examination of the parish register, that the state 
of the population during the last century has not 
fluctuated very materially. From the number of 
people far advanced in years whose names are to 
* ■ ■ M ' - - ' = 

* The author of this hiftory has already fubmitted to the public, fomc ob. 
fervations on the beft methods for relieving paupers, in a fmall pamphlet en- 
titled, <« Hints refpe^ting a Scheme for the Relief of the unemployed Poor, and 
for reducing the Rates} humbly fubmitted to the Confidcration of the Public, 
end jjarticularly of Churchwardens, Overfcers, and others, who aflift in the 
,M'«n||«t»ejnt«f Parochial Concerns.'* »79a» 

be 



[ m ] 

be found in the registers, it may be inferred that 
the situation of this town is congenial to animal 
life. 

Malmesbury may be considered as being in a 
state of progressive improvement. Its buildings 
are certainly mended within these few years. As 
an additional argument for the truth of this opi* 
nion we may observe that in 1798, an act of par- 
liament was obtained entitled *' An Act for Paving 
the Footways, and for Cleansing, Lighting, and 
Regulating the Streets, and other public passages 
and places within the Borough of Malmesbury, 
in the county of Wilts j and the Avenues lead- 
ing into the same ; and for removing and prevent- 
ing Nuisances, Annoyances, and Obstructions 
therein." This act is now carrying into execution. 



Section 



[ m ] 



SECTION VIII. 

Particulars relating to the Abbots of Malmes- 
buryy and other miscellaneous Information, 



MALMESBURY is denominated a city in the 
title to King Athelstan's charter, preserved 
in the British Museum.* In the reign of Edred, 
brother of Athelstan, it appears that there was at 
this place a mint ; for in Lowthorp's abridgment 
of '^The Philosophical Transactions" is an account 
of a coin of that king, from the letters on the re- 
verse of which the writer reads '^ malmesbury 
M0NEY."f When Domesday-book was compiled, 
in the reign of William the Conqueror, JMalmes- 
bury was the first town surveyed in the county of 
Wilts. At the time Leland visited IMalmesbury, 
towards the middle of the sixteenth century, its 
walls and gates were standing, though mucli de- 
cayed. Camden, in his Britannia, stiles it '' a 
neat town." - 

Malmesbury had a number of churches and 
chapels : the remains of some have been long since 
turned into private dwellings ; of others there are 

* See Appendix, Note XXV. 
■f Alridg. of Phil. Tranf, Vol. iii. p. 440. 

no 



i 169 \ 

MO traces now existing. Some account has already 
been given of those foundations that have with- 
stood the ravages of time and violence;* but the 
following notices from Leland's Itinerary, appear 
to refer to buildings bf which no vestiges at pre- 
sent remain: " Ther was a little chirch joining 
to the south side of the Transeptum of th' Ab- 
bay Chirch, wher sum say Johannes Scottus, the 
great clerk, was slayne about the tyme of Alfrede 
king of the West Saxons, of his own disciples, 
thrusting and strykking him with their table poin- 
telles. Wevers have now lomes in this litle chircli, 
but it stondith and is a very old pece of work.f 

Leland also mentions three nunneries, J which 
are said to have been situated near the town ; but 
neither of them was standing at the period of his 
visit to Malmesbury. The account already no- 
ticed, § which this writer gives in his Collectanea, 
of a convent of nuns here, under the direction of 
Dinoth, Abbot of Bangor, if it could be depended 
on, would tend to demonstrate the importance of 
this place at an early period. But the reported 
connection .of Dinoth with a nunnery at so great 
a distance from his own monastery, throws a dis- 
credit on the whole story. There is, however, no 
necessity for recurring to relations of disputed au- 

■' ■■ ■ ■ ■ - ■ ' i _ ■:■ 

* See Sea. V. + ItJn. Vol, li. 

X See page 95 (Note •^) and 98, for accounts of two of thefe foundations^ 
the other is faid to have ftood near the South Bridge, without the town, in 
tke v;ay to Chippenham. Itin. Vol. ii. 

^ See page ^5. 

thority 



[ 170 3 

thority, while the accounts of Meyldulph and his 
illustrious scholar Aldhelm, shew that Malniesbury 
as a school of science, was surpassed by few, if any 
establishments of the kind in Britain. The ideas 
contained in the following lines were suggested 
?jy the perusal of the history of the foundation of 
iSIalmesbury Abbey. 

SONNET TO THE AVON. 

Reclin'd beside thy willow-shaded stream. 

On which the breath of whispVing Zephyr plays, 
Let me, O Avon ! in untutored lays. 

Assert thy fairest purest right to fame. 

What though no myrtle bowVs thy banks adorn, 
Nor sportive Naiads wanton in thy waves. 
No glitt'ring sands of gold, or coral caves 

Bedeck the channel by thy waters worn ; 

Yet thou canst boast of honours passing these : 
For when fair science left her eastern seat. 
Ere Alfred rais'd her sons a fair retreat 

Where Isis laurels tremble in the breeze, 

*Twas there — near where thy circling streamlet flows, 
E'en in yon dell, the Muses found repose. 

Monastic institutions were commonly, in the 
early ages, nurseries of learning. Immured in the 
obscurity of his humble cell, the monk frequently 
found it necessary to relieve his solitude by study- 
ing the classic writings of the Greeks and Romans. 
It was natural for him to preserve with religious 
care the sources from whence he derived so much 
pleasure. Thus the solitary recluse, whose hopes 
and fears ^ve^e confined within the narrow bounds 

of 



[ 171 J 

of his own convent, was the means of bestowing 
on succeeding generations a gift of inestimable 
vahie. But the preservation of the remains of an- 
cient literature is not the only benefit which we have 
derived from monachism. To ecclesiastics we are 
indebted for almost all the accounts of the early 
parts of English history which we possess. Doubt- 
less they were often induced to attend to this sub- 
ject for their own amusement or satisfaction; and 
some of their writings originated in a wish to gra- 
tify private resentment, or to gain an opportunity 
for bestowing praise on their patrons. But what- 
ever were the motives of the monks, we are jus- 
tified in asserting that had it not been for their 
labours, the earlier periods of the history of this 
country would have been enveloped in obscurity.* 

As another part of this history is dedicated to 
the purpose of recording individual instances of 
monastic merit and celebrity, f we shall now pro- 
ceed to give an account of the superiors of the 
monastery. 

The antiquity of Malmesbury abbey, and the 
confusion that occurs in its history, in consequence 
of the destruction of monastic charters and other 
records, which happened at the reformation, ren- 
der it impossible at present to give a complete ca- 
talogue of the abbots who presided here from the 
foundation of the abbey till its dissolution. That 

• See Andrews's HJft, of Gr. Brit. Vol. i. p. 3S. 
f See Se^^JX. 

indus- 



[ 17£ 1 

industrious antiquary Brown Willis, has however 
collected the names of forty-six of them. To his 
labours we are chiefly indebted for the following^ 
account. 

MeTjldiilpli* who retired to this place and oc- 
casioned the foundation of the abbey, is reckoned 
the flrst abbot: though the abbey was scarcely 
founded till his death, which happened about the 
year 676. Adebn, or Aldhelrn, his scholar suc- 
ceeded him. He governed this abbey thirty-four 
years, and held the same, according to some au- 
thors, in conwiendam with the bishopric of Shir- 
bourne; of which see he was consecrated bishop 
in 705. He died May 25th, 709- 

On the decease of Aldhelm, or rather as Mr. 
Wharton's collections shew us, upon his being 
made bishop in 705, Daniel became abbot. To 
him succeeded in the year 746, Adelm^ or Aid- 
helm, nephew to the former of that name. — 
However he is mentioned as the next abbot in 
William of Malmesbury, who omits Daniel ; though 
Dr. Tanner doubts whether or no there was a se- 
cond Aldhelm. 

Ethelard occui^ next. He was in 780, pi'omo- 
ted to the bishopric of Winchester; and then 
translated in 793 or 794', to Canterbuiy. It is 



^ A reliquary which is faid to have contained fome relics of Meylduph, h 
engraved in the Vetufta Monumenta, vol. ii. pi. 51, 52. It was fuppofed to 
have been brought from Rome in the eighth century by Aldhelm. A particular 
dcfcriptlon of this antique may be feen in Gough^s Sepulchral Monuments^ 
Ir,trod, vol. ii, p. cxcvii. 

said 



[ i73 j 

i&akl in Anglia Sacra^ that Etbelard left the abbey 
in 754". 

Cuthbert appears to have succeeded him; and 
continued in possession of the abbacy at least till 
the year 79^^ 

After Cuthbert we meet with no account of the 
abbots of Malmesbury, for the space of nearly two 
hundred years. This is rather a remarkable cir- 
cumstance, §ince it was during this period that 
King* Athelstan. bestowed various privileges and 
donations ou the mpnastery. Perhaps the secular 
priests who posse3sed the abbey after the monks 
were ejected by King Edwy, might have destroyed 
its records, and thus rendered obscure one of the 
most flourishing parts of its history. In Domes-^ 
day-book one Alesta^n is mentioned as having been, 
abbot of Malmesbury; but as we are not informed 
when he lived, it mqst be\mce^tain how far this 
may be the proper place to introduce him. 

The monks being restored to the possessio^ of the 
abbey by King Edgar ip 974, Elfric or Alfred was 
appointed abbot. Jn 977. he was made Bishop of 
Crediton, and succeeded here by At helwerd, ot 
Ethelwerd, He was abbot in 982, and his suc- 
cessor was Kinezoard, of whom, and of the fiv^ 
following we have merely the names. They were 
Brichtehnus, Britdnvaldus, Edricus, Wuhinus^ 
and Britchwoldus, 

This last was succeeded by Egehvard, who 
continued abbot ten years. His successor was 
Ehvinus, who sat a year and a half, and was then 

y replaced 



t 174 ] 

replaced by Brictxvold or Brkktvold, He coiitf- 
nued superior of this monastery seven years, and 
died in 1057. On his decease Herman bishop of 
Wilton, conceived the design of removing the epis- 
copal see to Malmesbiuy. The grandeur and ex- 
tent of the abbey, (to the increase of which he had 
himself contributed,*) was probably his chief in- 
ducement to this attempt. But though he obtained 
permission from King Edward the Confessor, to 
execute his project, it proved entirely unsuccessful. 
For the monks by means of their interest with 
Earl Godwin, Avho governed the royal councils, 
procured a revocation of the grant;; and shut the 
doors of the monastery against the bishop. They 
took care also to supply themselves with a superior 
by electing Brithric, who had been Prior of the 
monastery. Herman was so disgusted at the treat- 
ment he had received from the monks that he gave 
up his bishopric, and left the kingdom; but he 
returned not long after, on the death of Elfwokl 
bishop of Sherborn ; and accepting of that see^ he 
united it with Wilton, and removed to Sarum.f 

Brithric was deposed by King William the 
Conqueror, who made Tar aid a monk of Fescamp 



* See p. 75. 

-|- Several of our ancient hlltoilans cell us that the fee of the biihop of Berk- 
shire and Wiltfhire, was fixed at Malmefbury j as Abingdon, thehiftoriographer, 
and Radulphus de Diceto, who calls Odo (who was bifhop of Ramfbury,) bifhopL 
of Malmeibury j and Gervafe of Tilbury, wh^n he fays that St. Aldhelm had 
the city of Maidulf, that is Scireburn. Gibfon'sedit. of Camden's Britannia, 
J). 102. 

All thefe miftakeg^tirobabl^ orlgmated from tl^e circumftance noticed above- 
Ill 



[ 175 ] 

in Normandy, abbot in his room. He was trans- 
lated in the year \070, from hence to the see of 
Peterborough. 

Warin de Lira suceeded next; who died in 1081. 

He was succeeded by Godfrey GemetkensiSy 
procurator of the abbey of Ely, whom WiUiam 
the Conqueror translated hither. He died in 1105; 
and was succeeded by Edulf, a monk of Winches- 
ter, who was elected into office in the following 
year, as the Annates TVintonienses inform us. — 
After he had governed twelve years, Roger, Bishop 
of Sahsbury, deposed him in 1118, usurped his 
place, and kept the same till his death, Avhich hap- 
pened in December, 1 139. Early in the following 
year, the monks of Malmesbury, elected to the 
abbacy, Jolui, a member of this convent. He is 
said to have been a man remarkable for the bene- 
ficence of his manners, and the liberality of his 
mind. The pope's legate refused to sanction the 
flection, and the monks were obliged at length to 

purchase his consent.^' 

John 



•if Anno incarnati Verbi 1140, Monachi abbatiarum, quas Rogerius epif- 
copus contra fas tenaerat, rege adito antiqua privilegia & abbates habere me- 
ruerunt. Eieftus eft in Abbatem Malmelberise a Monachi s fecundum tenorem 
privilegii, (quod beatus Aldelmus a Sergio Papa jam ante 466 annos impetraverat, 
& a rcgibus Weftfaxonum Ina, Merciorum Ethelredo roborari fecerat) ejuf- 
dem loci Monachus Johannes, vir benignitate morum, & animi liberalitate 
apprinne infignis, Probavit Legatus caufam improbavit personam. NuUoenim 
modo menti ejus perfuaderi poterat regem praster dationem pecuniae eledlioni 
confenfifTe. Et quidem aliquantum nummorum promiflum fuerat caufa liber- 
tatis ecclefiae non eleftionis perfonae. Itaque Johannes quamvis immatura 
morte anno eodem prasreptus fuerit, asternam tamen et laudabilem fui memo- 
,riam cundtis poft fe feculis dereliquiti Nullus cnim (vere fateor) ejus loci Mo- 

navhus 



C m 1 

John continued abbot but a few months, dying 
in September, the same year. — WiHiam of Malmes- 
bury, mentions an event as having happened du- 
ring the government of this superior, which must 
not be passed by without notice. 

One Robert, a marauding soldier, took posses- 
sion of the castle of Devizes, and from thence 
made irruptions into the surrounding country, com- 
mitting horrid cruelties, and directing his venge- 
ance principally against churches and monasteries, 
lie attempted to destroy Malmesbury Abbey; and 
put to death all monks. All those at least who re- 
mained in the convent at the time of his attack.* 

The next abbot was PeteVy who, in 1142, as- 
sisted in a triumphal procession, when the Empress 
Mathilda entered the city of Winches ter-j:. The 
time of his death is uncertain. 

Gregorij, occurs next as abbot, in 1159. Robert^ 
was abbot in the year 1174. He was succeeded 
by Osbert Fo/iot, prior of Glocester, in 1180, 
who dying in 1181, or according to Ajinaks JVi- 
gornenses, in 1 1 82, had for his successor Nicholas 
a monk of St. Alban's, prior of Wallingford, from 
whence he was translated hither. — About the year 
1175, King Henry II. sent Nicholas then prior 
of Wallingford, together \v\Xh William Fitzadelm, 
into Ireland, with the bull of Pope Alexander 



jiachus tantje magnanlmkatis fafto aflifteret, nifi Johannes inchoaffet. Itaque 
habeant fucceflbres ejus laudenn, fi libertatem ecclefiae tutati fuerlnt, ipfe pr«- 
culdubio earn a feivitute vendicavk, G. Malmes. Hift, Novellae Lib. ii« 
* See Appendix, Note XXXV.- f Hift. Nov. id. Lib. 

in. 



[ 177 ] 

III. in confirniation of the bull of Pope Adrian 

IV. and also that bull whereby Adrian granted 
the lordship of Ireland to the king.* — He was 
deposed in 1187, and Robert de Melun sub-prior 
of Winchester, was made abbot in his place. — 
He died in 1205, and Walter whose surname 
appears to have been Loring, succeeded to the 
office of abbot, w^hich he kept till his death 
in 1222. 

He was succeeded by John TVallensis. In the 
year 1224, the ninth of Henry III. this abbot at- 
tested Magna Charta.f 

The next abbot was Jeffry^ who was elected 
in 1246. He probably continued in office till 1260, 
when JVilUam de Colern became superior of the 
monastery. He held this station thirty-six years, 
dying in 1296. PFilliam de Badininton succeeded 
him. He died in 1324. Ada?n Atte Hok ox de 
la Hooke, then became abbot. According to Le- 
land he died at Malmesbury in 1340.:j: The ii€xt 
abbot was John de Tin tern ; on whose death in 
1 348, Simon de Aumeney was raised to the abbacy* 
In the records of Edward III. there is a grant of 
a pardon to the abbot of Malmesbury, who it 
seems had been guilty of concealing Robert de 
Gurnay, one of the persons who perpetrated the 
murder of King Edward II. in Berkeley Castle. 

* See Ware's Ireland, C. 7. p. 13, Com. by Mr. Fofbrooke. 

+ See Statutes at Large, by J. Keble. fol, p. 5. 

•^ CoUeftanea Volt i« p. 307, 

Whether 



[ 178 ] 

Whether this pardon was granted to the last 
named abbot, or to De la Hooke, or Tintern, is 
not exactly ascertained. De Aumeney died in 
1360, and was succeeded hy Walter Camme, the 
time of whose death is uncertain. Probably it 
happened in 139^, when Thomas de Chelesxvortk 
was made abbot. His successor appears to have 
been named WiUlam, who according to Mr. Whar- 
ton's Collections, was abbot in 1423. 

Robert Persore was elected abbot in 1424, and 
goveraed this monastery till his death in 1434. 
Thomas Bristoxv succeeded him, who dying in 
1456, had for his successor John Andover, who 
then became abbot. He died in 1462. His suc- 
cessor was John Aylee, the time of whose death is 
uncertain, but most probably it was in 1479. 

Thomas Olveston, after this had the temporali- 
ties of this abbey delivered to him, as appears by 
the patent rolls. He died in 1509. Richard 
Frampton, succeeded him, " whom (says Willis) 
I take to be the same with Richard whose surname 
w^as Frampton alias Selwin, the last abbot, who 
surrendered his convent, December \5, 1539."* 
This ingenious antiquary however, seems to have 
been mistaken in his opinion, for the name of the 
last abbot was Robert Frampton or Selwin, as ap- 
pears from an original paper which this writer has 
himself copied.; and which wq shall lay before 
the reader. 



^ Hift. af Pari, Mitr. Abbies. Vol, i. p. 140. 

A 



[ 179 3 

A list of the pensions assigned to the abbot and 
nionks of Malmesbury Abbey at the dissolutioji 
of monasteries. Extracted from the book of 
pensions remaining in the augmentation office, 

^' The names of th' Abbott and bretherne of the 
late monastery of Mahiiesburye, with their pen- 
syons to theym assigned by the king's commys- 
sioners appointed to take the surrendre of the 
saide monasterye, the same to be paid unto them 
yerely during their lyves at 2 termes of the yere, 
viz. at the Feasts of th' Annunciation of our 
Lady, and Sainct Michall th' Archangel. The 
-first payment to begynne at the Fest of th' An- 
nunciation of our Lady which shal be in the yere 
of our Lord God, 1540." 

Robert Frampton abas Selwin Abbott, 200 Marc; 
Walter Stacye, sen. steward of lands and cham- 
berer 13/. 6s, Sd, John Coddrington B. D. prion 
Walter Sutton B. D. sub-prior, 10/. each. Tho- 
mas Tewkesburye sen. Philippe Bristowe, sen. — - 
John Gloucester, sen. and tierce prior, Richard 
Pilton, Stewarde to th' abbott, 6L I3s. 4td. each; 
John Gantine, Warden of the chapel, 8/. RaufF 
Sherwood, sen. Richard Asheton, sen. and far- 
merer, Antonie Malmesbury, sen. and sub-sexton, 
William Alderley, Thomas Dorselye, Thomas 
Gloucester, John Horseley, Chauntor, Thomas 
Stanley, Pitancier, William Brystowe, Thomas 
Froster, prest and student, Robert Elmore, prest, 
William. Wynchecombe, and William Byfley, 61, 
each, Also the said abbott to have one tenement 

in 



{ ISO I 

In the higlie strete within the towne of Bristow** 
(Bristol) late in the tenure of Thomas Harte; and 
one garden lying in the suburbes of the saide towne 
agenst the Crosse called the Red Crosse, late in 
the tenure of the same Thomas Harte, for terme of 
lyffe, of the said late abbott, sine aliquo inde red- 
dendo. 

Sign'd Robei^t Southwell, 

Echmrd Came, 
' JoJm London, 

Will Berne rs* 
Most of these pensions dropped in consequence 
of the deaths of the ci-devanf abbot and most of 
the monks before the year 1553; for in the Pension 
Rolls in that year we find that only seven persons 
then received pensions, of w^hich number four were 
married. The dividends which these seven re- 
ceived amounted to but fifiy-three pounds, six 
shillings, and eight-pence; which with thirty-nine 
pounds in annuities and fees, was all that issued out 
of the revenues of this late flourishing monastery. 
The following are the names of the monks who re- 
ceived pensions in 1553. Walter Stacy e, Richard 
Asheton, Thomas Froster, and Thomas Stanley, 
who were married; Walter Sutton, Anthony Mal-^ 
mesbury, and John Horseley, who were unmarried. 
The sums they respectively received may be seen 
in the above list.f 

* Willis' Hift, of Pari. Mitr. Abbles. VoU II, Addenda p, 63, and 64. 
Id. Lib^ Vol. I. p. 140* 

Some 



I 181 ] 

Some account has already been given of the 
principal benefactions bestowed pn the monastery 
of Malmesbury ; but no notice has been taken of 
the amount of the revenues of the abbot. Three 
records are at present in existence, which contain 
catalogues of the landed property possessed by the 
inhabitants of this convent, at three different pe- 
riods. These are Edward the Confessor's charter, 
granted in 1065; Domesday-book, compiled in 
1081; and Pope Innocent's bull, issued in 1248. 
But as Domesday-book alone contains an account 
of the value of the abbey lands, \ve are under the 
necessity of drawing up our estimate entirely from 
that work. 



uifi accoufit of the la?ided property/ of the abhot 
of Malmesbury ^ in the year \Q?>\, 

The church of St. Mary^ at Malmesbury 
holds the manot of Hiwei (modern name 
Hywaye) Wilts, 11 hides; valued at, per 
annum 

Dantesief (Dantsey) 10 hides 

Sumreford;}: (Summerford Keynes) 5 hides 

Brecheorde^ (Brinkworth) 5 hides 

23 

* Meyldulph's firft church was dedicated to our blefled Saviour, St, Peter, 
and St. Paul: but in King Edgar's time the abbey was dedicated to the blefled 
Virgin Mary, and St. Aldhelm, Grofe's Antiquities. 

•f- Here was a mill which paid twenty ihiilings rent} and a wood three quar^ 
ters of a mile fquare. 

+ A mill in this manor paid twenty /hillings. 
\ Tt cont^ned a wood two furlongs in length and one in breadth. 

z Nortone^ 



/. 


s. 


8 





6 





5 





4 






[ 182 ] 

/. s, 

23 

Nortone* (Norton) 5 hides 4 

Brocheneberget (Brokenborough) 50 hides 30 

ChenieleJ (Kemble) 30 hides 13 

Newentone§ (Newnton) 30 hides 12 

Cerletonell (Charlton) 20 hides 8 

Gardone^ (Gersdon) 3 hides 5 

Credvelle^''^'^ (Crudwell) 40 hides 4 

Bremett (Bramhill) 38 hides ' 16 

Piritone:j:J (Purton) 35 hides 16 

Liteltone (Littleton) Gloucestershire, 5 

hides 5 

Niwebold (Newbold) Warwickshire 3 hides 2 10 



Total 138 10 



The sum of one hundred and thirty-eight pounds 
ten shillings appears to be but a small annual in- 



* Had a mill which paid fifteen fhillings. 
■f- In this manor were eight mills, they paid fix pounds, twelve fhillings, and 
fix-pencei It contained a wood four miles and half long, and three miles 
broad. ■ • * 

^ Had two mills which paid fifteen ihillings. A wood one mile and half 
long, and three furlongs broad, 

^ Here were two mills which paid thirty fhillings. 

|] In this manor was a mill which paid fifteen {hillings. It contained a 
wood two furlongs in length, and one in breadth. 

^ Had two mills which paid twenty-five fhillings, and a wood three quar- 
tets of a mile long, and two furlongs broad, 

^ •yJ*' Contained a wood three miles fquare, 

. -f, In.this manor were two mills which [aid thirty fhillings. A wood three 
miles long, and two furlongs broad, 

f + Had a mill which paid five fhillings. Contained a wood three miles 
fquare. ■ 

come; 



[ 183 ] 

come; but when a proper allowance is made for tbei 
difference in the weight of coin, and for the de- 
preciation which rmoney has sustained in con- 
sequence of its becoming more plenty, we shall 
find that the abbots of Malmesbury were in re- 
ality possessed of a princely revenue. 

The Norman pound, which is used in the valu- 
ations contained in the Domesday-book, was a 
pound weight of silver, divided into twenty shil- 
lings, each equal in weight, to three modern shil* 
lings. Therefore, in order to bring these ancient 
valuations to the same sterling standard as the 
present coin, it will be necessary to multiply the 
respective sums by three, which will give the an- 
nual rents in modern money. The next point to 
be ascertained is the proportionate vahie that mo- 
ney bore at the time of the conquest, to what it 
does at present. This may be most accurately 
done by drawing a comparison between the prices 
of labour at these different periods. Mr. Wynd- 
ham has brought forward some authorities, which 
render it probable that the weekly pay of labourers 
was equal to about eleven-pence of our money, at 
the period in question. The author of a critique 
on Mr. Wyndham's" work published in the Month- 
ly Review, conceives this valuation to be fixed too 
high; and thinks the wages of labourers did not 
amount to more than nine-pence per week, in the 
reign of William the Conqueror. If this last 
statement be admitted, and the present price of la- 
bour be estimated at seven shillings and six-pence 

per 



[ 184 ] 

per week, it will appear that the necessaries of 
life are worth ten times as much now as they were 
in 1081 ; and consequently the depreciation in the 
value of money is in the same ratio. *^ In order 
therefore to discover the present worth of thq ab- 
bot's revenues, it follows that the amount as o-iven 
in Domesday-book, must be multiplied by thirty; 
this will raise it to upwards of four thousand 
pounds per annum. And this sum probably is 
not equal to one third of the annual rent of these 
estates at the present time; since in consequence 
of improvements in agriculture, and from some 
other causes, land is Avorth three times a^ much as 
it was formerly. 

This estimate of the present probable value of 
the revenues of the abbot, may perhaps appear 
aomewhat extravagant. However Mr. Locke, of 
Highbridge, in a paper entitled '' An Historical 
Account of the Marsh- Lands of the County of 
Somerset," has given a statement of the relative 
value of those lands from whence it appears that 
the increase in value of those lands is beyond all 
proportion greater than that which we have as- 
signed for the manors of the abbot. Mr. Locke 
says " if we go so far back as Domesday-book, 
we shall find that the annual average value of 
marsh-land was at that aera estimated at one far- 
thing per acre, allowing the same quantity of 

acres to have then existed, as are at present charged 

j^ ~ • • - . I . .... , . ^ , 

* See Wyndham*s Wiltfhlre extraifted from Domefday-book, &c, Pref. p, 
tsTi. and fetj.—Monthl/ Review Enl. Vol* ii. p. 331% 

on 



[ 185 ] 

en the parish books. For the first four hundred 
years after this period, lands doubled their vahie 
every century; and from the reformation to the 
present time, the value of land has been doubled 
every 50 years. This enormous increase of landed 
property within the interval of 700 years may be 
estimated as two thousand is to unity, supposing 
we reckon a little more than forty shillings per 
acre for the present annual average value."* 

The following table given by Mr. Locke, as it 
is drawn from historical data, may be deemed of 
sufficient importance to arrest the attention of the 
yeader. 



A7inual value per acre (of the Soynerset marsh- 
lands) at different periods, from the conquest 
to the present ti?ne, i 

/. s, d. 
In 1086 — — — — ^ 00 OJ 
1191 — — — — — 00 Of 
1292 — — ^ — _ 1 
1399 — — — — — 002 
1500 — — — — — 004- 
1550 — — — — — 00 7f 
1600 —.— — __ 013 
1650 (Inter-regnum) 2 6 

1688 (Revolution) 5 

1745 (Scots Rebellion) 10 

1796 _ — — — — 2 5 Of 

--.- *. ■" • ■ ■ ■ ■■■ ' = = 

* Lett«rs and papers of the Bath Society, Vol, VIII, p. 259. 
•f- Id. p4 260* 

.It 



[ 186 ] 

It is pretty certain that the greatest part, if not 
all the property of the abbot of Malmesbury no- 
ticed in Domesday-book, was in a higher state of 
cultivation, when that work was compiled, than 
the marshes to which Mr. Locke refers: of course 
the difference between the value then assio-ned to 
it and its present value, cannot be so great, but 
in all probability it is much greater than we have 
stated it to be. 

The general statement of the annual revenues 
of the abbot of Malmesbury by the king's com- 
missioners,'^ Avhich was made just before the dis- 
solution of monasteries, cannot be considered as 
affording any certain information: since it is well 
known that the accounts they gave in, were 
shamefully inaccurate; and that the monasterial 
possessions were every where amazingly under- 
valued, f 



The Anns of the Abbot of Malmesbury. 
Upon a Chief argent, a Mitre or, between two 
Crosiers azure. On the fess and nombril points, 
two Lions passant gardant or. The base gules. 



* In the catalogue of religtous houfes in England and Wales, delivered to 
Hen. Vni. in the twenty -fixth year of his reign, the revenues of Malmefbury 
Abbey ars ftated at 803!. 17s. yd. Dugdale. 
-j- See p. 60. 



SECTION 



[ J87 ] 



SECTION IX. 

BiogiYiphical Notices of eminent Natives^ and 
other remar^kable Persons who were connected 
with the Abbey or Toxvn, 



MALMESBURY having b^en formerly a place 
of considerable importance, many illustri- 
ous characters have had some connection with it. 
The present section however will be confined, prin- 
cipallif, to the history -of persons who were natives- 
of the town, or who appear to have spent a con- 
siderable part of their lives in it. In the number 
of those who come under either of these descrip- 
tions, are to be found individuals who ranked 
among the most exalted characters of the times 
in which they lived. There are indeed one or two 
names among those noticed in the following ac- 
count, which are not equally celebrated; but 
though they appear perhaps for the first time on 
the^historic page, they will not be found to do it 
any discredit. ''It is the custom of the world 
to prefer the pompous histories of great men, be- 
fore the greatest virtues of others, w^hose lives 
have been led in a course less illustrious. This 
indeed is the general humour. But I believe it 
to be an error in men's judgments. For certainly 

that 



r 188 ] 

that is a more profitable instruction whichmay be 
taken from the eminent goodness of men of lower 
rank, than that which we learn from the splendid 
representations of the battles, and victories, and 
buildings, and sayings of great commanders and 
princes. Such specious matters, as they are seldom, 
delivered with fidelity, so they serve but for the hni- 
tation of a very few; and rather make for the os- 
tentation than the true information of human life. 
Whereas it is from the practice of men equal to 
ourselves, that we are more naturally taught how 
to command our passions, to direct our knowledge^ 
and to govern our actions."* 

These biographical sketches will be arranged as 
nearly as possible in chronological order. Meyl- 
dulpli, the first abbot of Malmesbury, would con- 
sequently have engaged our earliest attention, if 
every thing of importance that is known con- 
cerning him had not been already laid before the 
reader. I 



ST. ALDHELM. 

Aldhelm, or Adelm, whose literary attainments 
would have done honour to any age, occurs first 
in point of time among those of whom we are 
about to give an account. He has been deservedly 
deemed one of the few luminaries who relieved 
the darkness of the seventh century. J 



Sprat's Life of Cowley, prefixed to his works. Vol. I* p. 
+ See p, 35, Sec. and p . 172. 



xxxivt. 



' — 1 . jj, — — J- — f-. 
4 G«n. BUs. Vol. I. Axtf Aldhelm. 

Historians 



[ 189 ] ~ 

Historians in general concur in representing 
Aldhclm as the son of Kenter or Kenred, the bro- 
ther of Ina king of Wessex. But William of 
Malmesbury says that Ina had only one brother, 
Avhose name was Inigild;* and that Kenter was 
not the brother of Ina, though he was nearly re- 
lated to him.t Aldhelm is said by some to have 
been born at Malmesbury ; but neither the place 
nor time of his birth can be ascertained with cer- 
tainty. His principal tutors were Meyldulpb, 
Adrian, abI>ot of St. Augustine's, at Canterbury, 
one of the most learned professors in England, 
and Theodore archbishop of Canterbury. Mr. 
Wharton indeed says that Albin, the pupil of 
Adrian, was his preceptor. J Whether he entered 
on his studies first at Malmesbury as some have as- 
serted, we cannot determine. Dugdale says, that 
Aldhelm was brought up at Malmesbury, and in 
order to learn logic, went to Adrian; and then 
returned to Meyldulph, and was shorn. § But 
William the Historian, begins the account of his 
education with informing us that Kenter sent his 

^Jie^ 5J!L^ L^"" : ' , , ,;■' ■ .-.,.-■:■ .- ... =:^ 

* Fuerunt qui dicerent eum (fc Aldhelmum) Regis nepotem fuifle ex Kcn- 
tenio fratre, fed non placult nobis pro vero arrogare, quod magis videtur opi- 
nioni blandiri volaticae, quam ftabiritati convenire hiftoricse praefertim cum 
nufquam ab antique fcriptum reperiatur, & cronica palam pronunciet Inam 
nuJlum fratrcm habui(ft prater Inigildumj qui paucis annis ante ipfum de- 
ceilit. Non eget Aldelmus ut mendaciis afleratur, tanta funt de illo quae indu- 
biam depromant fidem, tot funt quae non veniant in litem* De Gcftis Reg, 
Aag. lib. !• cap. 2. 

f De Vita Aldhelmi—in XV. Scrlptor. 
± Hlftory of Englirti Poetry. Difl; II. 

k Monsift. Ang. Vol. i. p. 50, 

AA son 



r 190 ] 

son to Canterbury, where Adrian then resided in 
the centre of science, and read lectures on J],nglish 
History.* It appears that at Malmesbury he was 
instructed in the Latin and Greek languages; in 
the knowledge of which, he made an extraordinary 
proficiency. After he became a monk he returned 
to study at Canterbury, but was obliged to leave 
that place on accoimt of his health; as appears 
from a letter addressed by Aldhelm to Adrian. — 
Aldhelm took the monastic habit about the year 
662, fourteen years before the death of Meyl^ 
dulph. 

Aldhelm appears to have been a very active 
and useful member of the community to which 
he had attached himself. Monasteries were not 
in those early ages extensive and regular institu- 
tions, having a number of officers, under various 
degrees of subordination, to preside over their 
internal economy. In the time of Meyldulph, 
the management of the affairs of the convent, 
probably devolved entirely on the abbot. But 
Meyldulph seems to have been far advanced in 
years, when Aldhelm joined this society; in con- 
sequence of which, he soon became associated 
with his preceptor, in the government of the ab- 
bey. Their joint endeavours to raise the credit 
of the new establishment, and the charter ^^ranted 
them by the bishop of Winchester, have been no- 
ticed already.'!' It is universally acknowleged 

* De Vit, Aldh» + Sec p. 36 and 37. 

that 



[ 191 ] 

that the increasing reputation of the monastery 
at this period, was in a great measure owing to 
the industry and abihties of Aldhelm. But the 
liberality of this illustrious ecclesiastic was not 
confined within the walls of his convent. Wil- 
liam of Malmesbury, gives the following account 
of his philanthropic endeavours, to reform the 
barbarous manners of the inhabitants of Malmes- 
bury. ' AldhiClm having been perfectly instructed 
in the learned languages, studied his native tongue, 
and also the rules of poetical composition : so that 
according to Elfred, he surpassed all his contem- 
poraries in writing English poetry; and was re- 
markable for his skill as a vocal performer of mu- 
sic, and as an orator. Elfred also mentions a 
copy of verses, which he was accustomed to sing 
in public. The motives which induced him thus 
to descend in some measure from the dignity of 
his profession, were highly laudable; wisely con- 
sidering, that sermons, or serious addresses, were 
not likely to attract the attention of the rough and 
uncivilized people who dwelt in the vicinity of 
the monastery, this politic reformer assumed the 
attractive manners of a Troubadour. He placed 
liimself on one of the bridges which led from the 
town, to some of the neighbouring villages, and 
when he liad collected a crowd by singing some 
amusing songs, he, after a time, induced them to 
attend to such discourses as were calculated to 
ameliorate their manners. This mode of conduct 
he no doubt pursued for a considerable length of 

time 



. [ 192 ] 

time; and liis exertions were finally crowned with 
the desired success.'* 

The same author after celebratino; the diho-ence. 
piety, and justice of Aldhehn, informs us, that 
in order to mortify his body, he was accustomed 
to phmge himself up to the shoulders, in a foun- 
tain which was near the abbey. This discipline 
he continued, notwithstanding the severity of the 
frost in the winter, or the fogs that arose from 
the marshes in the summer. He even practised 
it during the night, without any injury accruing 
from it to his health. This fountain called holy 
loell is situated in the valley of the convent. It 
runs with a gentle stream, and is agreeable to 
the sight, and pleasant to the taste. In another 
spot, near the town, is a spring called Daniel's 
Well; because in that place holy Daniel kept 
Avatch by night, when he was invested by Ald- 
helm with the pontifical robes, f 

On the death of Meyldulph, in 676, Aldhelm 
succeeded him ; and occupied the station of abbot 
twenty-eight years. It was probably during this 
period, that he composed those Avorks which have 
so much contributed to preserve his fame. 

?i.i\ ■:■.. ■-:,...■■,, "r ■ -■ . ...■■-, U th ■ . 

* De. Vit. Aldh. 
•f- This fpring ftill retains the name of Daniel's Well. It rifes in a hillock, 
fituated a little to the welt of the town, and after running two or three hun- 
dred yards, falls into the Avon. It is remarkable for the clearnefs and limpi- 
dity of its ftream, and for the excellence of the water. The difcipline which 
abbot Daniel underwent, feems to have been a work of fuperrogation j for it 
does not appear from authors who have written on the fubjeft^ that this cere- 
mony was commonly praftifed, previous to the inauguration of the abbot.— 
See Foibrooke's Britilh Monachifm. Vol. i. part a. 

When 



[ m ] 

When Ina, king of the West Saxons, divided 
liis kingdom into two dioceses; Winchester and 
Sherborne; he bestowed the latter on Aldhelm, 
for whom he had a profound respect. Aldhehii here- 
upon visited Rome, and was consecrated by Pope 
Sergius I. During liis stay with that Pontiif, God- 
win tells us, that he reproved him to his face for his 
incontinence.^' Bale, indeed, gives a different ac- 
count, and blames Aldhelm for not having availed 
himself of the opportunity which his intimacj 
with the pope, afforded for admonishing him.-f 
It seems probable however, that Bale had no just 
ground for casting such a reflection on Aldhelm, 
For the regard which Aldhelm always shewed for 
religion and virtue, the purity of his own charac- 
ter, the great courage which he possessed, and 
the intimacy which subsisted between him and 
Pope Sergius, — all contribute to render it probably 
that he did admonish his holiness. It is not un- 
likely that the rebuke was given in private; since 
he could not have spoken with freedom in public, 
nor have expected that his address would have a 
good effect on the pontiff. — Aldhelm when he re- 
turned from Rome, brought with him various cu- 
riosities ; in the number of which, was an altar of 
white polished marble, a foot and half in thick- 
ness, four feet in length, and three spans in breadth; 
with a compact ledge or border of the same mate- 
rial, projecting on every side from the top of it. J 

* De Praeful. Ang. f De Script. Brit. 

+ G, Malmes, de Vit. Aldh, 

At 



[ 194 ] 

At the time that he became settled in his bish- 
opric, which was about the year 705, Aldhehn 
may be considered as having attained the, highest 
pitch of literary fame. The knowledge of his 
learning was so widely extended, that his corres- 
pondence w^as much sought by the literati of those 
times. Arevelle, a prince of Scotland, who had 
employed himself in writing, sent his works to 
Aldhelm for correction ; requesting him to rub oiF 
the Scotch rust, and give them the last polish. 

He was likewise a friend of the persecuted Wil- 
frid, archbishop of York. 

While Aldhelm was bishop of Sherborne, in all 
probability, he founded the convents of Frome,* 
and Bradford.-)' WilHam of Malmesbury also in- 
forms us, that he induced King Ina to expend an 
immense sum of money, in erecting and orna- 
menting a chapel at Glastonbury. J Neither did 



* ** Themonaftery at From? was founded in 705, in honour of St. John 
the Baptift. The monks that compofed this fociety were obliged to difperfe, 
on account of the perfecution of the Danes, during their inroads into thofe 
parts 5 and they feem never afterwards to have reaflembled. But the church 
exifted fo late as the reign of King Stephen ; as we learn from William of 
Malmefbury, who tells us, that in his days it was ftill ftanding, and by its du- 
rability had defeated the fliock of ages. G. Malmes. de. Vit, Aldh. in Ang, 
Sac. torn. ii. p. 8. There are fome veftiges of this old building ftill remain- 
ing, in that part of the town which is called Lower Keyfordj and are now 
converted into fmall tenements for poor families. *' CoUinfon's Hift. of 
Somerfetfh. Vol. ii. p. 186. 

-f- ** Bradanford or Bradford. Here was an ancient monaftery, dedicated 

to St. Laurence, and founded by St. Aldhelm." Tanner's Notitia Monaftica, 
p. 592. — —This prelate built feveral other churches, or chapels, indifferent 
parts of England. 

4- De Geft, Reg, Ang. lib, i. cap. a, 

■ he 



[ m ] 

he neglect tlie monastery in which he had been 
educated ; for besides the privileges which Aldhelm 
procured from Pope Sergius I. the donations be- 
stowed by Ina, on Malmesbury Abbey, may be 
justly supposed to have been granted in conse- 
quence of his solicitation.^ 

The writings of Aldhelm are very numerous, 
and relate to a variety of subjects. The regard 
he had for learning, and the nature of those sci- 
entific and literary pursuits which chiefly engaged 
his attention, are well represented in a letter 
which he wrote to Hedda, bishop of Winchester. 
Some idea of the extent of his studies, may be 
formed from the following account of his writnigs. 
The relative periods at which his different trea- 
tises were composed, cannot be ascertained; but 
the circumstances which gave rise to some of them 
have been recorded. 

Aldhelm at the request of his diocesan, wrote 
a book "Against the mistakes of the Britons, con- 
cerning the celebration of Easter." This brought 
over many of them to the Catholic usage, with 
regard to that festival. He wrote " A Treatise 
on the Eight Principal Virtues;" " Of the Dig- 
nity of the Number Seven, collected from the 
Flowers of the Old and New Testaments, and from 
the Doctrines of Philosophers;" — " Of the Ad- 
monition of Brotherly Charity :" — " Of the Na- 
ture of Insensible Things, metaphorically said to 



■5f Vid. p. 38* huj. lib, 

be 



[ 196 ] 

be indued with speech;" — '^ Of the Monastic- 
Life ;"—'' Of the Praise of the Saints;"—^' Of 
Arithmetic;"—*' Of Astrology;"—'' Of the Rules 
of metrical Feet;" — " Of the Figures called Meta- 
plasni and Synaloepha;" — " Of the Scanning and 
Elipscs of Verses;" — " A Dialogue concerning 
Metre ;" — " Homilies and Epistles ;"— These pieces 
which are written in Latin, are mentioned by Bede 
and William of Malmesbury, but are not naw ex- 
tant. The poetical works of Aldhelm are *' Enig- 
mas," consisting of one thousand verses, written 
in imitation of the poet Symphorius; — " Ballads" 
in the Saxon language with other pieces, which 
were published by Martin Delrio, of Mentz, 
octavo, 1601. He likewise wrote a treatise partly 
in prose, and partly in hexameter verse, '' In Praise 
of Virginity;"*' dedicated to Ethelburga, Abbess 
of Barking. It is to be found among Bede's 
Opuscula. 

In a passage from one of his treatises on metre, 
cited by William of Malmesbury, Aldhelm boasts 
of himself, as the first Englishman who introduced 
Latin poetry into England. " These things con- 



* In the Britifh Mufeum, Bibliotheca Regla M. S. S. are three copies of 
Aldhelm's treatife de Laude Virginltatisj one of which contains a very antique 
portrait of the author. To another of thefe M# S« S. are appended, Nomina 
Rcliquarum, quarum partem dedit gloriofiflimus & vidoriofiflimus. ••...• 
. . , Monafterio Scae Maria?, ••.*...•• .— Antiquae LiteraturjE Sep- 
tentrionalis, liber Alter per H. Wanley, fol. p, 182.— —The names of the 
donor and of the monaftery have been obliterated j but probably the reliques 
jreferred to, were thofe given by King Athelftan to Uic abbey of Malmelbury, 
Vid p. 39. huj, lib* 

cerning 



[ 197 ] 

CcrniiiE: the kinds and measure of verse, I have 
written according to my ability, not without much 
labour; with wh<it profit I cannot say, but I am 
conscious that I have a right to adopt the boast of 
the Roman Poet. 

Primus ego in patriam mecum modo vita supersit, 
Aonio rediens de^ucara vertice Musas."* 

Aldhelm is also said to have translated part of 
the Bible. " That the Saxons read the Bible in 
their own language is an opinion well autlienti- 
cated ; some parts at least, having been translated 
by Adelm, bishop of Sherborne, Eadfrid or Ecbert 
bishop of Lindisferne, the venerable Bede, and 
King Alfred. "t ^ 

The conduct of AJdhelm after his promotion to 
the rank of episcopacy, was highly suitable to his 
station. As William of Malmesbury informs us, 
he was chiefly employed in endeavouring to pro- 
mote the interests of religion. 



* Some authors who have given an account of the life of Aldhelm, have 
quoted thefe lines, and have unaccountably reprefented him as having compo- 
ied them* Among others, Camden, in his Britannia, has fallen into this mif- 

take. The vcrfes however, are Virgirs 5 (vid. Georgic. Lib. iii, v, lo.) 

It muft be acknowleged that they are admirably adapted to the fituation of Ald- 
helm. Dryden loofely tranflates them as follows: 

** I, firft of Romans, ihall in triumph come 

** From conquer'd Greece, and bring her trophies home." 

One of thofe writers who attributes the original to our Anglo-Roman 
Poet, has given a more literal but iefs elegant verfion, 

** I, to my country firft, if fates permit, 

«* Will bring the mufes from their native feat,*' 

•f- Supplementary Addenda and Corrigenda to Calmet'a Didtionary of the 
Holy Bible. Art. Bible, 

BB He 



C 19S 1 

He retained possession of his bishopric about 
four years, and died May 25, 709, at Doulting,* 
in Somersetshire. His body was brought to Mal- 
mesbury; and buried in a chapel which he had 
built, and dedicated to the honour of God and 
St. Michael, by Egwin, an holy monk.t The 
funeral was celebrated with magnificence; and is 
said to have been remarkable for the perform- 
ance of a curious ceremony. On account of the 
miracles attributed to Aldheh:n, stone crosses were 
fixed to some of the mile-stones, Avhilst the funeral 
procession passed along the road.:}: 

In the reign of King Edwy, the bones of Aid- 
helm were discovered, and having been disinterred, 
w^re enshrined,§ by St. Dunstan. According to 
Leland, they were again removed by St. Osmond, 
bishop of Salisbury. II 



* Doulting is a fmall village, landing on high ground, two miles nearly eaft 
from Shepton Mallet. Near the church rifes a fpring called Aldhelm's Well, 
from that Saint to whom it was anciently dedicated. LeU Itin. ii, 72.— 
A chapd of wood, afterwards converted into an oratory, by one of the monks 
of Glaflonbury, was ereded here to the memory of Aldhelm, Johan. Glafton, 
Hift. i. 92. King Ina gave this village to the religious of Glaftonbury.— 
A^am de Domerham i. 97. CoUinfon'§ Hift. of Somerfetfh. V, iii, p. 473. 
-f Leland, Dugdale. 

+ Celebris ilia pompa funeris fuit, dum pro miraculorum frequentia fige- 
yentur femper lapideae cru- es ad f<?pt.em miliaria. Manent omnes cr^ces, nee 
ulla earum vetuftatis fen% injyrisirn;; Vocanturque Bifcepftani, id ftft lapides 
Epifcopi, quarum una in clauftro Monachorum in promptu eft videre* G» 
Malmes. de Vit. Aldh, 

^ Thefaurum tutum tot annis abdltum in iucem propalafti beati Aldhelmi 
corpus dico, quod ipfi de terra elevatum in fcrinio locarunt. G. Malmes. de 
gr-ftisreg. Ang, lib. ii. c. 7. 

}] Colle<Jlanea.» Vol, iil. p. 3,95, 



Aldhelfli 



( 199 ] 

Aldlielm had a place given liim in the Romish 
Calendar; and he certainly appears to have been 
as worthy of that honour, as any individual among 
the multitudes on whom it has been bestowed.— 
But his canonization has not preserved his writings 
from the censure of the literary inquisitors of 
Rome. For Dr. James informs us, that he stands 
corrected in the Index Expiirgatorius.^ 

Aldhelm was equally celebrated for the excel- 
lence of his moral character, and for his literary 
attainments. He seems to have been the firm 
friend of religion and virtue. It is true the reli- 
gion of that age, was burthened with useless ce- 
remonies and austerities; but though these were 
practised by Aldhelm, he did not omit the more 
important duties of piety and morality. Monkish 
writers have given extraordinary accounts of his 
voluntary chastity. His persevering fortitude, 
and active benevolence were particularly displayed 
in his patriotic attempt to reform the manners of 
his countrymen. Some of his biographers not 
contented with bestowing on him those commen- 
dations which he really deserved, have attributed 
to him miraculous powers. Fuller, thus quaintly 
satirizes the authors of this report '' The monks 
(those Babylonish masons) have built such lying 
wonders on his memory, and have vomited out 
such lies to his dishonour, that the loudness thereof 



* See a Treatife of the Corruption of Scripture, Councils and Fathers, by 
the Prelatss, &c* of the Church of Rome, By Thomas James. 8vo, i68€. 

has 



[ 200 ] 

has reached to heaven; affirming that this Adehne, 
by his prayer stretched out a beam of his church,- 
{cut too short by the carpenter,) to the full pro- 
portion."^' Another of his miracles is thus related. 
*' And on a daye, as he sayde masse in the cliyrche 
of saynt Johan Latrans. and whan the masse 
was don, there was no man that wolde take his 
chesyblef fro hym, at the ende of the masse. — ■ 
And thenne he sawe the sonne-beme shyne thorugh 
the glasse wyndowc ; and henge his chesyble theron. 
Wherof all the people mervelled gretely at that 
myracle. And the same chesyble is yet at Mal- 
mesburye, the colour therof is purple. "J 

In making an estimate of the learning of Aid- 
helm, regard must be had to the general character 
of the age in which he lived, When it is consir 
dered that during the seventh and several succeed- 
ing centuries there were few persons, except eccle- 
siastics, who could read even their own language, 
and ihcit they seldom extended their studies beyond 
the service of the Romish church, the literary 
acquirements of Aldhelm will appear to have been 
very extraordinary. He was an eminent scholar, 
and a good writer; and from his works, it is ap^ 
parent that he was acquainted with the most ce- 



* Worthies of England. 8vo. 1684. p. 849, 

■f The Cafula or Chefiple was fo called becaufe it was a fort of cafe, covering 
the whole body of the Prieft, at mafs. Hence came as it thought, the modern 
Caflbck. Collinfon's Somerfetlh. Vol. ii. p. 251. 

J2 Golden Legend fol. Ixxxvi. in the lyf of faynt Adelmc. Com. by Mr. 
Foibrooke. 

lebrated 



[ 201 ] 

kbratcd authors of Greece and Rome. William 
of Malmesbury has bestowed on him a splendid 
encomium, Vvhich appears to be equally just and 
elegant, if we except the sentence relative to his 
miracles. '' He was, says he, a man possessed of 
sincere piety and extensive learning; and his vir- 
tue surpassed his celebrity. He was well skilled 
in the liberal arts, to each of which he had paid 
a particular attention. It would be unjust not to 
notice his treatise, ' In Praise of Virginity;' that 
characteristic emanation of his immortal genius; 
which in my opinion, cannot be surpassed for 
beauty and grandeur. Those indeed who do not 
sufficiently attend to the variety of manners and 
modes of expression, in different ages and nations, 
may be disgusted with some parts of it; but this 
will not happen to those who cultivate a proper 
regard for the waitings of the ancients. I would 
willingly unfold the long catalogue of labours 
which he performed for the good of the church, 
and the miracles which rendered his life illustrious; 
if other circumstances did not demand my atten- 
tion: and indeed the actions of Aldhelm, are so 
celebrated, that my praises cannot add to his re- 
now^n. The numerous honours that were conferred 
on his memory proclaimed the sanctity of his 
manners. He has received the reward of praise, 
and also that glory which is the meed of vir- 
tue."* 



* Dc Qe9tt Reg, Axrg. lib# 1. cap. z\ 



[ QOQ ] 

Mr. Wharton observes that the Latin compo- 
sitions of Aidhehn, whether in prose or verse, as 
Bovelties, were deemed extraordinary perform- 
ances ; and excited the attention and admiration 
of scholars in other countries. A learned con- 
temporary who Hved in a remote province of 
France, in an epistle to Aldhelm, has this remark- 
able expression. '^ Vestrce latimtatis panegyr- 
icus rumor y 

We shall conclude the testimonies to the merit 
of this learned prelate, collected from the ancients, 
with an encomium copied by Leland, from an an- 
tique chronicle. ^' St. Aldhelm a near relation of 
Ina, king of the West Saxons, was an excellent 
performer on the harp, a most elegant Latin and 
Saxon Poet, a very skilful singer, a doctor of 
singular merit, an eloquent speaker, and a wonder- 
ful master of sacred and profane learning."* 

The literary character of Aldhelm, has been 
differently represented, by various modern writers. 
Those however are most favourable to him, who 
appear to have been most intimately acquainted 
with his writings. Dr. Mosheim says, " that he 
composed several poems Concerning the Christian 
Life, which exhibit but indifferent marks of ge- 
nius and fancy, "t However this tacit censure of 



* <'Sanftus AlcJhelmus Inae regis Weft Saxonum propinquus, citharsdus crat 
optlmus, cantor peritiflimns, dodlor egregius, fermone nitidus, fcripturarum 
tam liberaUum quam ecclefiafticarum eruditione mirandus." Lei, apud. Gen* 
Biog". Vol. i. Art. Aldhelm. . 

J Eccl,efiaftical Hiftory transl. by A. Maclaine, D. D, Vol. ii. p. 20. 

the 



t 203 ] 

the learned historian has been obviated by his traiiS- 
lator; \¥ho observes " that this prelate certainly 
deserved a more honourable mention than is here 
made of him, by Dr. Mosheim. His poetical ta- 
lents were by no means, the most distinguishing 
part of his character.^' He was profoundly versed 
in the Greek, Latin, and Saxon languages. He 
appeared also with dignity, in the paschal con- 
troversy, that so long divided the Saxon and Bri- 
tish churches, "t 

The memory of x^ldhelm, was long held in high 
esteem by the inhabitants of Malmesbury. Be- 
fore the reformation many memorials of him were 
preserved in the monastery ; as his psalter, the robe 
in which he said mass, and a great bell in the 
abbey steeple, called St. Aldhelm's Bell. J The 
meadow which was denominated from him has been 
mentioned already. § There is also a village situated 
about six or seven miles S. E. of Malmesbury, 
called Hilmarton; which derived its name pro- 
bably from this saint; for in Domesday-book, 
the name is written Adhelmertone. 11 



* This fentence probably refers to the Latin poetry of Aldhelm. Of his Saxon 
poetry no proper judgment can be formed; though he certainly deferves credit 
for having introduced among his countrymen, atafte for this branch of litera- 
ture. 

-f Id. Note ^^ [u"| According to Tanner, Aldhelm was the author of 
a monaftic rule. « The* monks of this ifland were never under one rule be- 
fprc what is called the fecond reformation. We meet with the rules of St. 
Afaph, St, Aldhelm, &c. among the Britons and Saxons." Notitia Mo- 
naftica. Pref. p, v. 

+ Gibfon's edit, of Camden's Britanniai p. 196. vid. etiam. p»46. huj. Iib» 

^ Vid. p. 362, )j Camden.—Vid, Wyndhara's Wiltfh. p. 354. 

It 



[ 204 ] 

It is not unlikely that several statues of St. 
Aldlielm, existed in the abbey and elsevdiere, in 
Mahuesbury, previous to the Reformation. One 
supposed monument of this description was dis- 
covered about fifty years ago; of which we have 
the following account: " The great King Athel- 
stan made Aldheim his tutelar saint, and endowed 
the town and monastery with privileges on his ac- 
count. It has been supposed that he raised a 
tomb to the memory of Aldheim, and that the 
statue found in Mr. Griffin's house, in 1/55, formed 
a part of its decorations. This piece of antiquity 
was probably removed from the abbey at the time 
of the Reformation, to preserve it from the rude 
hands of the king's visitors ; and perhaps placed 
in the situation in which it was met w^ith during 
the civil war, when the town was besieged by the 
parliament army."'^' This statue afterwards came 
mto the possession of Edmund Wilkins, esq; and 
was placed in his garden, where it continued for 
several years; but at length the sculpture was en- 
tirely destroyed by the action of the atmosphere. 

We have an account of two pictorial represen- 
tations of Aldheim, besides that already noticed. f 
There is a figure of this prelate in the fourth or 
north window, in the ante-chapel of Queen's Col- 
lege, Oxford ; and there is also a portrait of him in 
the ingenious work of that indefatigable antiquary, 
Mr. Strut t. J 

^ Mapfon's M.S. f Vid. p. 196, Note * 

+ See Strutt's Drefles Vol. I. 

William 



[ 205 ] 

Wiiliam of IMalmesbury, in his account of the 
bishopric of Winchester, relates some particulars 
concerning Daniel, a prelate of the eighth century 
which may perhaps serve to illustrate the ec- 
clesiastical customs of that period. 

*' After the death of Hedda, bishop of Win- 
chester, that diocese was divided into two parts; 
because it was too extensive to be governed by 
one person. One of these new bishoprics was 

given to Daniel, and the other to Aldhelm. 

The former of these prelates outlived the latter, 
for a considerable length of time ; and continued 
in possession of the see of Winchester forty-three 
years. Towards the close of his life, Daniel re- 
tired to the monastery of Malmesbury, that he 
might enjoy some repose from the duties of his 
station; and continued there till his death, prac- 
tising the duties of monachism. It is generally 
asserted that he was buried at Malmesbury, though 
the inhabitants of Winchester pretend that he 
was interred in that city."* 

It does not clearly appear from this account 
that Daniel resided at Malmesbury as superior of 
the monastery; but since the researches of Mr. 
Wharton have evinced that he really possessed 
that situation, it may be inferred that it was usual 
for the ecclesiastics of those days, to hold church 
preferments of different degrees of dignity, in 
commendam: a practice which did not so com- 

* De Geftis Pontif. Ang, Lib. ii. 

cc monly 



[ 206 ] 

monly obtain in tliis country, in after ages.* — ' 
These circumstances render it probable that Aid- 
helm did not resign the abbey of Malmesbury till 
his death. — The well already mentioned,! is a 
lasting evidence of Daniel's connection with the 
town of Malmesbury. 



ATHELARD. 

Athelard or Adelard was the fifth abbot of Mal- 
mesbury. He is characterized by Dugdale, as a 
very learned, pious, and good man. J 

Where he received his education, and to what 
community he belonged before he was raised to 
the abbacy is uncertain. He probably became su- 
perior of the monastery of Malmesbury about the 
middle of the eighth century. At this period, 
OfFa, king of Mercia, conceived the design of dis- 
membering the archi episcopal see of Canterbury. 



"«(• Monachifm feems to have bee a extceniely faihionable at this. aera. We 
have repeated inftances of kings who. abandoned a throne for the cloyfter. la* 
king of Weflex, in the eighth century j and Lotharius, Emperor of Germany, 
in the ninth, exhibit inftances of this cuftom. The conduft of Egwin, biihop 
of Worcefterj feems to have been fimilar to that of Daniel, mentioned in the 
text. He built the abbey of Eve-lham, and became the firft abbot of it. He. 
is faid indeed to have refigned his bifhopricj but as the abbey was built before 
709, and Wilfrid who fuccceded Egwln, did not become biihop till 717, it is 
abvious that the latter held both preferments at the fame time. Vid. Dug- 
dale's Monaft. Anglic, abr. p. 23, 24. 

In France, in the reign of Henry IV. we find that abbies were poflefTed by 
the nobility and gentry, as well as the clergy; and even by the Proteftantsj 
though thefe laft were afterwards obliged by the Pope to difpofe of their bene- 
$ces, Vid. Memoirs of SuHy, tr. Vol. V, Book 29. 
■f Vid. p. 192. 



+ Monaft. Ang» abr. p* 5. 



For 



[ 207 ] 

Tor this purpose he applied to Pope Adrian I. and 
at length obtained a bull for erecting an archbish- 
opric at Litchfield; to which all the bishops in 
Mercia and East Anglia were appointed suffragans. 
This tyrannical monarch also plundered many of 
the churches in his dominions, and among the 
rest that of Malmesbury.* 

In the year 780, Athelard was translated to the 
bishopric of AYinchester; and from thence, in 
790 or 791, to the archbishopric of Canterbury. 
As he was a man of an industrious and persevering 
disposition, and was possessed of powerful friends, 
he made application to Egfrid, who had succeeded 
his father Offa, in the kingdom of Mercia, in 
order to induce that prince to restore the metro- 
politan see to its original dignity. Death pre- 
vented Egfrid from complying with his request : 
but Kenulph who succeeded him, wrote to Leo 
IIL who then lilled the papal chair, to desire that 
he would reverse the decree of his predecessor, f 
Athelard himself went to Rome with this epistle; 
and after a time returned, and brought with him 
an answer from the Pope, which contained di- 
rections for restoring the sees of Canterbury and 
Litchfield to thei.r former state. In this letter, 
Leo, gives a mos1: exalted character to the arch- 
bishop, lie stiles him *W most noble and accom- 
plished person, of acknowledged prudence, unex- 

* G. Malftiea. de Geft. Reg. Ang. Lib. i. ch, 4. 
•j- G. Malines. de Geft, Poirt. Ang. lib. u 

ceptionable 



[ 208 ] 

ceptionable manners, and deserving of honour 
both from God and man.* 

Athelard was favoured with the friendship and 
correspondence of the celebrated Alcuin, who 
flourished in the court of Charlemaine. William 
of Malmesbury has preserved some fragments of 
his letters to our prelate, which aiford strong tes- 
timonies of his merit. 

One of these epistles contains a congratulatory 
address to Athelard, on the fortunate termination 
of his embassy to Rome. The benevolent purpose 
of another of them was to induce the priaiate to 
permit Adulph who had been made archbishop of 
Litchfield, to retain the pall during his life.-f — 
This request was complied with. 

Athelard was not inferior to the most learned 
doctors of that age; indeed in some respects he 
was superior to any of them : for not to mention 
the admirable prudence with which he conducted 
the affairs of the see of Canterbury, and recovered 
the privileges which his predecessor had lost, he 
was highly worthy of praise on many other ac- 
counts.:}: 

Two general councils were held during the time 
that Athelard presided over the English Church. 
The first of them was at Cloveshoo or Cliff, in 
Kent, in the year 800. It was convened for the 

* Eftclariffimus atque peritiflimus, & ilium fcitis prudentem, bonis ornatutn 
morJbus, Deo & hominibus dignum. The epiftle of Kenulph, and alfo that 
of Leo, are to be found in G. Malmes. de Geft. Reg, Ang. lib* i. cap. 4. 
+ De Geft, Pont. Ang. lib. i, + Idem, 

recovery 



[ 209 ] 

recovery of certain church lands usurped by Off a 
kino- of Mercia.* Three years after another coun- 
cil was held at the same place, for the purpose 
of carrying into execution the decree of Pope 
Leo, relative to the see of Litchfield.f 

Soon after this, in the year 80:3, Athelard died 
and was probably buried at Malmesbury. 

It does not appear that this prelate left any 
writings behind him: probably the ecclesiastical 
concerns in which he was so deeply involved de- 
prived him of leisure for any literary undertaking 
at least during the latter part of his life. 



JOHANNES SCOTUS. 

The subject of this article is involved in con- 
siderable obscurity, in consequence of the care- 
lessness of some of the monkish w^riters, who 
appear to have confounded together two different 
persons. According to these authors, Scotus 
iErigena, a celebrated divine and philosopher, 
(who lived in the court of Charles the Bald King 



•» The property which this prince had taken from the abbot and monks 
of Malmefbury (fee p, aoy) was reftored by his fon Egfrid, during his fhort 
reign, in 796.' ■ '* Egfridus fedulo paternze immanitatis veftigia declinans, 
privilegia omnium Ecclefia.rum, quae fecuJo fuo genitor attenuaverat, prona de- 
votione revocavit, Praedium quoque quod pater MalmelburiiE abftulerat, red- 
didit in manu Cuthberti tunc iUius loci Abbatis, hortatu prxfati Athelardi 
Archiepifcopi Cantuariae, ftrenui fane & Deo digni viri: quern Athelardum 
Abbatem fuifle ibi ante Cuthbertum conftans opinio afleverat, hoc argument! 
aflumens, qu6d defunftum fe eo loci tumulari fecerit." G. Malmes. de Geft. 
Keg. i^ng. lib. i. cap. 4. 

+ Spclman. Concilia— .V. i. p» 3x8, and 324. ap. Rapin H»ft. of £ng. 

of 



[ 210 ] 

of France,) was murdered by his scholars, at 
Malmesbury. But wg have good authority for 
asserting that this learned ecclesiastic died abroad, 
several years before the period at which he is said 
to have been assassinated; and that there was 
another Scotus, a man of learning, invited into 
England by Alfred the Great, who fell a victim 
to the fury of his pupils. 

Ingulphus, abbot of Croyland, is the earliest 
Avriter we have been able to consult, who men- 
tions Scotus. *' King Alfred (says he) was so 
fond of sacred literature, that he always carried 
a copy of David's Psalter, or some other religious 
>vork in his bosom. He also invited learned 
men out of foreign countries, and entertained 
them in his palace, that he might enjoy the be- 
nefit of their conversation, and afterwards pro- 
moted them to bishoprics and other dignities. 
On this account he induced Grimbald, a French- 
man, Avho was well skilled in music, and a very 
learned divine to settle in England; and made 
him abbot of a monastery that he had uewly 
built at Winchester. He also allured from Old 
Saxony, J oh^imies siirnamed Scotus, a philosopher 
possessing the most poignant abilities; and con- 
stituted him superior of the abbey 0/ JEthelingay. 
Both these men were very learned doctors, of the 
rank of priests, and by profession holy monks."* 
Thus far Ingulphus, who has omitted the date 



* Ing. Hlftona apud Script, poft Bcdara. 

of 



[ 211 1 

of these transactions : though he mentions them 
after the great defeat of the Danes by Alfred; 
and they certainly took place several years sub- 
sequent to that event. V/illiam of Malmesbury 
gives a similar, but more brief account of the 
king's bounty to these ecclesiastics: but it is 
observable that he has omitted the cognomen of 
the abbot of iEthehngay, and calls him simply 
Johannes. After mentioning some other ecclesias- 
tical preferments, which probably happened at that 
time, this historian proceeds to relate the popular 
story concerning the murder of Scotus, at Mal- 
mesbury. He represents the sufferer as the friend 
of Charles the Bald, and the author of writings 
Avhich were composed by ^rigena, though he 
does not call him by that name. What follov/s 
relative to the death and epitaph of Scotus, we 
shall insert. '' Being induced by the munificence 
of Alfred to visit England, Scotus was, at our 
monastery, (as it is reported) stabbed by his 
scholars, with the iron styles which they used in 
writing; and was afterwards reckoned a martyr. 
I shall not attempt to conceal the circumstances 
of this outrage; since his sepulchre on the left 
side of the altar; and the verses of his epitaph, 
(which indeed are rough and want the polish of 
modern refinement, but are not to be despised 
considering the age in which they were written,) 
remain as monuments of his celebrity. 

Clauditur hoc tumulo sanctus Sophista Johannes, 
Qui ditatus erat jam vivens dogmate miro, 

Martyrio 



[ 212 3 

Martyrio tandem Christi conscendere regnuni, 
Quo, meruit, sancti regnant per secula cuncti."* 

Roger cie Hoveden, who wrote , his History a- 
])out fifty years after Wilham of Mahnesbury, 
gives a more particular account of ^rigena, called 
by him Johannes Scottus. He represents him as 
having been assassinated at Malmesbury, in the 
year 883; and concludes his relation with an ac- 
count of a miraculous light, which hovered over 
the grave of the murdered ecclesiastic, and by 
means whereof, the monks were induced to pay 
higher honours to his memory than they had be- 
fore intended. Hoveden then informs us, that 
in 887, king Alfred appointed John, a Saxon 
monk, abbot of iEthelingay.f 

From a review of these accounts it is very 
apparent that Scotus who w^as made abbot of 
^Ethelingay b}^ Alfred was a different person from 
iErigena; and from tlie silence of Ingulphus, it 
may be fairly inferred that this last w^as not among 
the number of the learned men who were invited 
into England by the king. If the evidence of 
Yvllliam of Malmesbury relative to the account 
of the death of iErigena was direct and positive, 
it would be intitled to a great deal of credit; but 
it is worthy of observation, that this cautious 
liistorian relates the story merely as a popular 
report, and does not offer to vouch for its acfcu- 



* G. M. de Geft. Reg. Ang. Jib, ii. cap. 4. 
-f- Hoved. Annaijum pars prior— spud Script, poft Bedam. 

racv 



[ 513 ] 

racy. The epitaph which we have quoted from 
this writer is certainly more applicable to the ab- 
bot of ^thelingay, than to jErigena, who Avas 
one of the most learned men of the age in w^hich 
he lived. 

We ma}' reasonably conclude from the foregoing 
accounts, that it was the abbot of ^thelingay, 
and not ^rigena, v/ho resided at Malmesbury, 
and was there murdered. The abbey which King 
Alfred had founded at the place of his retreat 
was, as Dugdale informs us, far from being a 
desirable situation. '^Atheling is not an island 
in the sea, but so encompassed A\dth marshes and 
waters, that there is no coming at it but by a boat. 
The monks there were few and poor.*" Since 
therefore this monastery was from local circum- 
stances, so far from being a convenient place of 
residence, it is highly probable that Scotus took 
up his abode at the abbey of Malmesbury; where 
learning had flourished ever since the time of St. . 
Aid helm. 

The tragical catastrophe already mentioned, took 
place soon after. If the date given by Hoveden 
be correct, the death of Scotus, must have liap- 
pened in 887, or SSS. No doubt King Alfred 
made enquiry into the circumstances of this daring 
violation of the laws, and severely punished the 
assassins. But among the Anglo-Saxons, murder 
was not attoned for by the death of the murderer 

* Monaft, Ang. abr. p. 30. from G. Malmcs, de Geft. Pont. Ang. lib, ii, 
DB but 



[ 214 ] 

but by a fine.* Now it appears that the king 
erected a noble nionument to the memory of 
Scotiis, and also procured for him the honour of 
Ganonizajtion, This probably was done at the 
expence of the religious belonging to the monas- 
tery and others W'ho were concerned in the assas- 
sination ; and may be considered as the were-gild 
or fine levied upon them on account of that crime. 
Th.e monks having a public monument pf this 
disgraceful transaction conspicuously placed in 
the ^hhey church, n^ust of course have been de- 
sirous to lessen the odium of it, as much as pos- 
sible. Little or nothing could be done for this 
purpose immediately after the event. But when 
a convenient space of time had elapsed, it is pro- 
bable that the pride of the monks might induce 
them to alter the name of the Martyr; or at least 
to represent yErigena as the person who came to 
this untimely end. This will appear by no means 

* ** Every rank in fociety had its price (or wcre-glld) in cafe of murtber; 
jven the aflaffination of a king was fet at a certain fum« The proportions ran 
thus; The fovereign's were-gild was rated at 30,000 thrimfasj* the prince's 
15,000; that of a biihopor eolderman 8,000; a fheriff's 4,000 ; a thane's or 
prieit's 2,000 ; a ceorI6s 266. Some trifling difference appears in the were- 
gilds of Kent, Mercia, &c. Wilkins, 

There ^^ete fines appointed with great precifenefs for wounds wrthout regard 
to the rank of the injured. Laws of Alfred. In different countries the ^nes 
for wounds were different in proportion to the wealth of the nation; and (as 
Dr. Henry humoroufly remarks) the nofe of a Spaniard might be fafe in En- 
gland, being valued at thirteen marks, while that of an Englifhman ran a 
much greater riik in Spain, having only 9 twelve fhilling Hne impofed on its 
Jofs." Andrews' H. of G. B, Vol. i. p. 84, Note [11.] 

* The thrimfa was a coin of an unfettled value, varying from three fifths 
U t^ree fourths Qf a ilii|ling« C^rke on Coins. 

imlikely, 



1 ^^^ 1 

unlikely, when we consider that /Erlgena was per- 
secuted during his life time, for opposing the 
doctrme of transubstantiation; and that his wri- 
tings v/cre burnt by order of the Pope, at Rome, 
about the middle of the eleventh century. At 
that period perhaps the murder of so dangerous 
an heretic would have been deemed meritorious; 
and from thence probably we may safely date the 
origin of the misrepresentation.^ 



iELFRIC. 

iElfric, Alfred, or Eluric, was a Benedictine 
monk, celebrated for his piety and learning, who 
was superior of the abbey of Malmesbury, in the 
latter part of the tenth century. He was con- 
temporary Avith iElfric the Grammarian, arch- 
bishop of Canterbury; and lived about fifty year^ 
before yElfric Bata, Archbishop of York; with 
both of whom he has been confounded. 

But few particulars can be collected relating to 
the life of ^Ifric. Of his birth, extraction, and 



* Before we conclude this article it may not be amifs to obferve that feveral 
modern writers appear to liave followed the erroneous account of Hoveden, re- 
lative to ^rigena. Among others, we have the refpedable names of Gale, (fee 
his edit, of Scotus de Divifi6ne Naturae j) Rapin, (Hift of Eng, Vol, i. p. 115}) 
Hearne, (Antiquit.) and Maclaine, (Tr, of Mofheim's Ecc, Hift. V. ii, p. 
1I3» N. !Jt^* x;) and the ingenious Dr. F. Warner has committed a ftill greater 
error in faying that J. Duns Scotus was entertained by Charles the Bald, 
invited ta England by Alfred the Great, made profefTor in the monaftery of 
Malmelbary, and murdered there by his pupils* See his Ecclefiaftical Hift, of 
England. Vol. i, p, 178. It muft not be omitted that the erroneous account* 
of ^rigena, which have been (o often repeated, arecorrefted in that great 
national work the Biographia Britannica (bee Vol. v. p. 597 — 6co. 

education, 



L 216 ] 

education, we have not been able to obtain any 
information. His appointment to the abbacy b}^ 
King Edgar, after the secular priests were ejected 
from the monastery, has been already noticed.* 
It is not improbable that he was superior of this 
abbey before the monks were removed by King 
Edwy, and consequently that he was only restored 
by his successoi'. In the charter of Edgar, iEl- 
fric is characterized as a person well skilled in ec- 
clesiastical affairs. f From the accounts we have 
of his actions and writings this encomium appears 
to be by no means undeserved. It is probable 
that in the time of this abbot, the oldest part of 
the present remains of the abbey church was 
erected; and he is supposed to have superintended 
the undertaking, and to have had a considerable 
share in the embellishment of the building.:]: We 
are also informed that he caused instrumental mu- 
sic to be made use of in the church-service; but 
it is uncertain whether he himself practised that 
art.§ 

-r' ' ■ ■ . . ■■ ■ ..■■■- ■ . ■ i T- 

* See p. 41. 
•^ VIr In omnibus ccclefiafticis experientiflimus officiis, Ingulphi Hiftorla. 
j;; Hearne's Antlquit. 

& The celebrated St. Dunftan, who was contemporary with JFAfiic, was 
remarkably well fkilled in roufic, and likewife in painting and fculpturc. He 
prefented a fine organ to the monaftery of Glaftonbury, in the reign of Edgar* 
Andrew's Hift. of Gr. E. V. i. p. 88. This information feems to clafh with 
the opinions advanced by fome learned writers, that mufical inftruments, and 
particularly organs, were not ufed in churches until the latter end of the 13th 
cent. See Bingham's Antiq. of the Chriftian Church, VJ. p. 314, fol. edit. 
and Peirce's Vind, of the Difienters. p, 395. Eng. edit. 

^Ifric 



[ 217 3 

^Ifric continued abbqt of Maln;Csbuiy, about? 
four 3^ears after bis appointment to tbat office by 
Edgar; and in 977, or 978, succeeded bisbop 
Sideniann, in tbe see of Crediton. He continued 
in possession of tbis bisbopric several years, and 
died towards tbe close of tbe tentb century.* 

Tbis learned ecclesiastic wrote a treatise entitled 
*' De rerum natura;'' i. e. *' Of tbe nature of 
things." He also compiled *' Tbe History of 
Mabnesbury x\bbey," according to ColHer: tbough 
Pits and otbers, assure us it was tbat of Glaston- 
bury; but tbey are probably mistaken. *' Tbe 
Life of St. Aldbelm" was anotber of ^Ifric's 
productions. t He is said likewise to bave trans- 
lated tbe Pe7itateuch, Judges, and Job, into tbe 
Anglo-Saxon language ; wbich translation was 
published at Oxford in tbe year l^^d-X 

Besides these writings, there is a collection of 
Homilies translated from the Latin into the Saxon 
language, which is still extant. This version has 
been generally attributed to ^Ifric archbishop of 

* Hiftorians differ widely as to the date of iElfric's tranflation to the fee of 
Crediton, and the time of his death. Sir H. Savile, and Mr. Wharton, agreo 
with our text, as to the period of his becoming bifliop ; but the former places 
his death in 994, vshilft according to the latter, he died Jan. 9th, 98S, at 
Crediton, and was there buried. Vid. Tab. Chron, ad fin. Script, poft. 
Bedam; & Anglia Sacra Vol. i. p. 265. — Godwin fays that he was promoted 
to his bifhopric in 98a, and died in 999. De Praeful. Ang. p. 454. And 
Dugdale afl'erts that he was not made bifhop till 990. Monaft. Ang. abr. p. 33. 
Non noftrum tantas componere lites, 

■f- Fabricii Biblioth, Med. ^vi. V. i. p. \%u 

+ Sup. Addend, and Cor. to Calraet's DiiS. art. Bible, fr. Le Long and 
Lewis, 

Canterbury, 



[ 218 ] 

Canterbury, though Mr. Wharton ascribed it to 
i^lfric Bata;* but there are reasons for believing 
that it was not done by either of these prelates, 
and that it was the work of iElfric, Bishop of 
Crediton. For it appears from a Latin address to 
Wulstan, Archbishop of York, prefixed to the 
translation, that it was executed at his request. 
Now this prelate died in 955, and as ^Ifric arch- 
bishop of Canterbury survived that period fifty 
years, it is probable that he must have been too 
young to have performed the task in question. — 
Dr. James also informs us, that a Saxon M. S. 
containing these homilies was found at Exeter, 
in the library belonging to the dean and chapter, 
by whom it was presented to the Bodleian Li- 
brary, f These circumstances certainly do not 
amount to a positive proof of the opinion just 
advanced; and perhaps at this distance of time 
it may be impossible to determine absolutely who 
was the translator, but it must be admitted that 
the claim of the Bishop of Crediton to that title 
is not entirely without foundation. 



OLIVER OF MALMESBURY, 

Oliver, Elmer, or Egelmer-was a monk of Mal- 
mesbury, who is said to have been born within 
the precincts of the monastery. He flourished 
in the eleventh century. Mathematics and astro- 



* Ang. Sacr. Vol. i. p. 125. 
+ Trcatife on the Corruption of Scripture, &c. p. 196, 197. 

logy 



[ 219 ] 

logy were the sciences which principally engaged 
his attention. He also appears to have studied 
mechanics. In the works of William of Mal- 
meshury, we have the following account of this 
learned Benedictine. Not long after the death 
of Henry I. of France, (in IO6O,) a comet or 
blazing star made its appearance; which was sup- 
posed to portend some national revolution. El- 
mer, a monk of our monastery, on seeing this 
glittering meteor, broke out into the following 
ex^clamation. 'x\rt thou arrived, O! messenger 
of evil, omen of that destruction which shall 
cause many mothers to pour forth lamentations.'* 

Elmer, was not deficient in learning for the 
age in which he lived; but he undertook one en- 
terprize, when he was arrived at years of maturity 
which savoured strongly of juvenile audacity. — - 
For, having affixed wings to his hands and feet, 
he ascended a lofty tower, from whence he took 
his flight, and was borne upon the air for the space 
of a furlong; but owing to the violence of the 
wind, or his own fear, he then fell to the ground, 
and broke both his legs.f 

From this inrperfect account it is impossible to 
determine v\^hat degree of merit belonged to the 
invention of this monkish aeronaut. It may how- 
ever, be concluded that his machinery was con- 

* In thofe a^es wfien fuperftition had ufurped the feat of reafon, the appear- 
ance of comets was generally fuppofed to foretell national calamities. Vid, 
Hen. Hunt. Hiftor. lib. v. 

f PeCeft. Reg, Ang. lib. ii. cap. 13, 

structed 



[ 220 3 

.^riictcd on the same principles with the para- 
chute. Oliver was probably the first Englishman 
who travelled through the aerial regions. He is 
said to have written on Astrology and also on 
Geometry, and other branches of mathematical 
science; but none of his works are now in ex- 
istence. 



In tlie tw^fth century, Godfrey of Malmes- 
t)ury, a Benedictine monk, wrote an account of 
the affairs of this country, from the arrival of the 
Saxons in England, to tbe twenty-ninth year of 
Henry I. under the title of "Annals." He gives 
an account of many transactions which happened 

in the northern parts of the kingdom. Roger 

de Hoveden, appears to have been indebted to 
this author, as the same accounts are to be found 
in the writings of both; though the circumstance 
may have arisen from both these historians having* 
had before them the same original records.* 



ROGER LE POER. 

Among those who were concerned in the trans- 
actions which took place in the former part of the 
turbulent reign of King Stephen, Roger le Poer, 
Bishop of Sarum, was one of the most conspi- 
cuous. 

This ambitious priest had gained the favour of 
Henry Beauclerc, long before his attaining the 

* Selden's notes on Fortefcue de Laud, Leg. Angl. p. 6. 

crown 



[ 221 J 

crown of England, by hurrying over a mass with 
such dispatch (when a poor curate at Caen, in 
Normandy) that the prince swore aloud Hhat he 
had now found a chaplain fit for a soldier,' and 
instantly attached him to his person as domestic 
priest.* 

Roger was made Bishop of Sarum, in 1107. He 
was also Lord Chief Justice, Lord Treasurer, and 
Lord Chancellor; and several times governed the 
kingdom in the absence of King Henry L Not- 
withstanding the numerous favours he had recei- 
ved from that monarch, this perfidious prelate as- 
sisted Stephen against Mathilda, the daughter of 
his benefactor. He met with a just reward for 
his ingratitude. Stephen wishing to lessen the 
power of the ecclesiastics, seized on several forti- 
fied castles which belonged to some of the bishops. 
Roger opposed this fancied encroachment on the 
rights of the church, but was at length obliged 
to deliver all his fortresses into the hands of the 
king, and with them the vast mass of wealth 
w^hich he possessed ; which is said to have amoun- 
ted to 40,000 marks in money, besides plate and 
jewels. This avaricious prelate was so much af- 
flicted at the loss of his property, that he survi- 
ved the event but a short time.f 

In 1 1 1 8, Roger seized the abbeyfof Malmesbury, 
and kept possession of it for more than twenty 

* Andrews* Hift. of G. B. Vol. i« p. 144. 
"j- C« Malmes. H, Nov. Tib. jl.— Dugdalc's Men. Ang. abr. p. 340, 

EE years. 



[ 222 ] 

years. He also appropriated to himself the abbey 
of Abingdon. 



Peter Baldwin who lived about the year 1130, 
was a Benedictine monk, and a member of the 
fraternity at Malmesbury. He was a very res- 
])ectable poet in his time, and is said to have 
written the lives of the most eminent monks of 
this house, in verse; though none of his works 
are now extant.* He is said also to have culti- 
vated other branches of literature, besides poetry. 



WILLIAM OF MALMESBURY. 

The celebrated historian, William of Malmes- 
bury was probably born in or near this town; 
hut however that might be, he was certainly 
bred up here. His paternal name was Somerset, 
which he relinquished, and took that by which 
he is more commonly known. By his industry 
in his youth, he became well instructed in all 
kinds of literature. Being made librarian to 
the monastery, and finding in the library many 



* Hearne's Antiq.—— William of Malmelbury, in his Treatife ** De Ges- 
tis Pontificum Anglorum" lib. ii. mentions a monk named Peter, whom he 
ftiles his companion, (fodalis ejus }) and reprefents as the writer of elegant La- 
tin poetry. It feems highly probable that this Poet was no other than Peter 
Baldwin ; for the Hiftorian has introduced an extradl from the works of Peter, 
by way of fpecimen of his abilities. Jt is an eulogium on a contemporary ec^ 
cleiiaftic, named Faricius, abbot of Abingdon, v/ho was a native of Arezzo 
jn Tufcany, a phyfician by profefiion, and had belonged to the monaftery of 
Malmelbury, This poetical encomium, whivh is written in Leonine Verfc, 
celebrates the virtues and medical fkill of the abbot. 

old 



[ 223 ] 

old manuscripts* and monuments of antiquity, re- 
lating to the transactions of the nation, in pre- 
ceding- ages, he thought he could not do better 
service to the learned in future ages, than to draw 
up such an abridgment of them as M^ould compre- 
hend the most material facts in the history of his 
native country. This task he executed, in a man- 
ner highly creditable to himself, and to the com- 
munity to which he belonged. 

The works of William are '^ De Gestis Regura 
Anglorum, Libri V." containing the history of 
the affairs of this country, from the arrival of 
the Saxons to the death of Henry I. — ^' Histories 
Novellee, Libri II." which carried on the history 
to the year 1143. In these two works are scat- 
tered various notices relative to Malmesbury mo- 
nastery; and still more copious accounts of Glas- 
tonbury. — William wrote another work entitled, 
'^ De Gestis Pontificum Anglorum, Libri IV." — 
This contains an account of the different bisho- 
prics in England with lists of the bishops. 

The two former of these works are dedicated 



^' Hume has obferved that William of Malmefbury quotes Livy's defcription 
of Caefar's palTage over the Rhine j which was contained in a part of the 
works of that Hiftorian which is now loft. And. v. i. p, 445. The writings 
of William have been fearched in vain for this quotation. But in Hift. No- 
vel!». lib. ii, there a comparifon between Julius Caefar and Robert Earl of 
Glccefter, partly drawn from Livy's account of the circumftanccs in which 
Csfar was fituated previous to his paflage over the Rubicon j which makes a 
part of the loft Decades. It is not improbable that William had before him 
the whole works of Livy, which might h*ave belonged to the Library of this 
monaftery. 

bv 



[ 224 ] 

by the historian, to his patron, the gallant Robert, 
Earl of Glocester, son of Henry I. 

These three treatises were published by Sir H. 
Savile, with some other works on English history, 
under the following title. ** Rerum Anglicarum 
Scriptores post Bedam preecipui, ex vetustissimis 
Codicibus Manuscriptis nunc primum in Lucem 
Editi."* 

William also wrote a book entitled '^ De Vita 
iMdhelmi;" which was published in Wharton's 
Anglia Sacra\ and likewise among Gale's Quin- 
decern Scriptores, This work is written in a bom- 
bast stile, and is by no means equal to his other 
productions. Nothing of importance is known 
concerning the life and actions of William. — 
He appears to have spent his days in the humble 
stations of Librarian and Precentor to the monas- 
tery of Malmesbury; Avhere he died sometime 
betvv^een the years 1143 and 1148. 

No Avriter of English history, has more fre- 
quently received the tribute of deserved praise, 
than this modest friar; whose opinion with regard 
to his own writings deserves to be quoted. '^ I 
am not anxious about the praise or censure of my 
contemporaries. But I hope that when partiality 
and malevolence are no more, I shall receive from 



* Pits fays, that W. Malraefb. was epitomized by W, Herman, fometimc 
mafter of Eton fchool j but whether all his works, or fome part of them only 
were thus contrafted he does not t^l us, Pofiibiy he only tranfcribed what 
Simeon Dunelm. had before done to his hand. Nichoifon^s Engl. Hift. Libr. 
V, i. p, 154. 

posterity 



[ 225 ] 

posterity the character of an industrious though 
not an eloquent historian."* 

A late author after observing that the history 
of WiUiam does credit to the age in Avhich he 
lived, adds that it is a book which might al- 
most have been owned by a Livy; so pure is his 
stile. t And archbishop Usher calls him the chief 
of our historians. 



Learnino- flourished in the monastery of Mai- 
mesbury after the twelfth century; though the 
names of those literary characters who existed 
here since that period are buried in oblivion. — 
There were however two anonymous monks of 
Malmesbury, who must not be passed by un- 
noticed. 

The author of a work entitled " Eulogium 
Historiarum"J was a member of this convent. — 
This treatise contains many circumstances relative 
to the foundation of the abbey, the property with 
which it was endowed, and the lives of some of 
the abbots. § The time when he lived is not ex- 
actly known. 

Another monk of Malmesbury wrote " The Life 

^ Prolog, ad Lib, de Geft. Reg. Ang. 

-f- Andrews' Hift. of Gr. Br. V. i. p. 253. 

+ Vid. p. 22. huj, lib, 

^ Leland calls the Eul. Hift. the Malme/bury Chronicle; and gives the 
fame title to another hiftorical work, which was probably written by the fame 
author. Both thefe chronicles are contained in one volume, in Bibl. Cotton, 
Galba, E. vii. — and excerpts from them are to be found in Leland's Collec- 
tanea, V. i. p. 301. &c. V. ii* p, 395, &c, 

of 



[ 1!26 ] 

of King Richard II." an edition of -which has 
been published by Mt. Thomas Hearne. 



WILLIAM STUMPE. 

Among those remarkable persons who have been 
connected with Malmesbury, William Stumpe, an 
eminent clothier here, in the sixteenth century, 
deserves some notice. He carried on a very great 
trade in this tOAvn, as the following anecdote will 
evince. It also indicates a peculiarity in the man- 
ners of tliat period; since it appears that manufac- 
turers must have been accustomed to supply with 
provisions their labourers, as well as their domestics. 
We are told that Henry VIII. after he had been 
hunting in Bradon Forest, (which lies about four 
miles north-west of IMalmesbury,) came, with all 
liis retinue of courtiers and servants, to dine with 
Mr. Stumpe. Though this visit was quite unex- 
pected, yet it seems our manufacturer was not at 
all disconcerted. He gave his royal and noble 
guests an hospitable reception; and ordering his 
train of workmen to abstain from eating till night, 
he had the provision which had been prepared for 
tliem, served up before his majesty, and his follow- 
ers. This supplied them with a plentiful though 
not a dainty meal; and they went away pleased 
with their entertainment.^ 

Mr. Stumpe was a great bcneftictor to the in- 
habitants of Malmesbury; for having purchased 



« Fuller's Worthies of Cng. 16S4. p. 859. 

the 



[ 227 ] 

the abbey of the king, after the dissolution of 
monasteries, he permitted it to be used as a parish 
church. 

The time of his death is uncertain. His son 
Sir James Stumpe, knight, was married to the 
daughter of Sir Edward Baynton; and served the 
office of High Sheriff for the county of Wilts, in 
the reiQ:ns of Edward VI. and Queen Elizabeth.^ 



THOMAS HOBBES. 

In the constellation of luminaries that enlight- 
ened the literary horizon of Britain, during the 
seventeenth century, Thomas Hobbes shines with 
distinguished lustre. The writings of this justly 
celebrated philosopher, contain the outlines of 
that moral and mictaphysical system, the propaga- 
tion of which has gained immortal honour for 
Hartley, Hume, and Priestley. Like all other in- 
novators in science, this great man experienced 
opposition, and even obloquy from his contem- 
poraries; but impartial posterity will admit, that 
such merit as he possessed, would have covered 
errors greater than he committed, and will allot 
him a distinguished place among those benefac- 
tors of mankind, whose efforts have contributed 
to burst asunder the chains which ignorance and 
superstition had forged for the human mind. 



* Leland's Itin. — Univcrfal Mag, Vol. xxxi. p. ii8. Fuller and Hearne 

call the clothier of Maimefljury, Thomas Stumpe; and fome writers have re- 
prefented Thomas and William Stumpe as two different perfons, both bene- 
faftors to the people of Malmeibury j but this appears to be a miltake, 

Hobbes 



[ 228 ] 

Hobbes was boni April 5, 1588, in the parisb 
of Westport,* within the borough of Mainiesbury ; 
of which parish his father was minister. At the 
time of his birth, the Spanish Armada was upon 
the coast of England; and his mother is said to 
have been so highly terrified at the alarm which 
it occasioned, that she M^as prematurely delivered. 
He was, however, of a strong and healthy consti- 
tution; and displayed, even in his earliest years 
very considerable abilities for learning. Though 
the father of Hobbes, had no taste for literature, 
and probably but little acquaintance Avith it, yet 
he did not neglect the education of his son. In 
the eighth year of his age, our author was put 
under the tuition of Mr. Robert Latimer, then 
master of the Grammar School at Mainiesbury ;f 
who having a high opinion of his capacity, treated 
him wn'th great kindness; and did all he could to 
assist him in his studies. In these he made so 
rapid a progress, that before he went to the uni- 
versity he translated the Medea of Euripides out 
of Greek into Latin verse. 

In 1603, he became a student of Magdalen- 
Hall, Oxford. While a^. college he was chiefly 
supported by an allowance from his uncle, Francis 
Hobbes, who was alderman of Malmesbury; and 

•sf The boufe in which Hobbes was born, was ftanding till within thefe few 
years. It was fituated near the pariih church. 

-f- At this fchool, John Aubrey, the antiquarian received the firft rudiments 
of his education. He was born at Eafton Piers, in Wiltfliire, in 1625 or x6a6, 
and died at the houfe of Lady l-ong, of Dray cot, in 1700. 

who 



[ ng ] 

AvHo at hi^ cleath, l^ft him a small annuity, that 
he might h^ ^nabW to pursue his studies. In 
1607, he took th^ degree of Batchelor of Arts; 
and the following year, ou the recommendation 
of the Principal of Magdalen- Hall, he was taken 
into the family of Lord Hardwicke, afterwards 
Earl pf Devonshire, as tutor to his son. 

In I6l0, Hobbes m^de the tour of France and 
Italy, with his pupil. After his return, he pub- 
lished a translation of the History of Thucydides, 
He travelled again with the son of Sir Gervase 
CHfton, in 1631: but was recalled by the Coun- 
t^m Dowager of Devonshire, to be tutor to the 
youog (?arl, with w^hom he went abroad, and re- 
returned in 1037. About 1641, perceiving the 
probability of a civil war, he retired to Paris; 
and there wrote his books entitled De Cive; and 
The Leviathan; which startled the divines; and 
drew a great many pens against him. It was here 
that be taught mathematics to King Charles II. 
then an exile. At the Restoration he returned into 
England; and from that period till his death, he 
resided chiefly with bis patron, the Earl of De- 
vonshire. 

He was in favour with the king, who settled a 
pension on him of 100/. per annum, out of his 
privy purse. Hobbes was likewise visited by Cos- 
mo d^ Medicis, then Prince, and afterwards Duke 
of Tuscany; and by other illustrious foreigners. 
But his book called the ^Leviathan,' was condem- 
ned by the Parliament, in a bill against atheism and 

FF profaneness 



[ 230 ] 

profaneness, October, 1666; and the Convocation 
also condemned both that, and his book * De Cive,^ 
July ^1, l68o: as pernicious and damnable, and 
thereupon caused them to be burnt. 
f He died at Hardwicke, in Derbyshire, a seat 
of the Earl of Devonshire, December 4th, 1679; 
and was buried in the church of Hault-Hucknall, 
where a monument Avas erected to his memory. 

His writings are numerous, and relate to a va- 
riety of subjects. A volume entitled *^ The Moral 
and Political Works of Thomas Hobbes," was 
printed in London, folio, 1750. It contained 
"- Human Nature, or the fundamental Elements of 
Policy; — '^ De Corpore Politico; or the Elements 
of Law, moral and politic;" ** The Leviathan: 
or the Matter, Form, and Power of a Common- 
wealth, ecclesiastical and civil;" ^' Behemoth : or 
the History of the Causes of the civil Wars of 
England ;" besides some smaller pieces. He also 
published " An English Version of the Iliad and 
Odyssey of Homer;" and " Decameron Physi- 
ologicum : or Teu Dialogues on Natural Philo- 
sophy;" to which must be added several mathe- 
matical treatises, that did him no credit; as they 
contain many singular and absurd positions. 

Mr. Hobbes Mas a man of considerable learning 
and great abilities. He had a very high opinion 
of himself and his writings, which he took no' 
pains to conceal; nor did he. appear to consider it 
as any weakness. His genius Avas lively and pe- 
netrating, and he was studious and indefatigable 

in 



{ 231 



in his enquiries, but his reading was not very 
extensive. Homer, Virgil, Thucydides, and Eu- 
chd, were the authors with whom he was most 
dehghted.* 

Of his private character. Lord Clarendon has 
left the foliowins: testimonial. '^ Mr. Hobbes is 
one of the most ancient acquaintance I have in 
the world, and of whom I have always had a great 
esteem, as a man who besides his eminent paits of 
learning and knowledge, hath always been looked 
upon as a man of probity, and of a life free from 
scandal/'t Few authors have encountered more 
opposition than the Philosopher of Malmesbury. 
A vague charge of atheism has been brought 
against him by his adversaries; but since the 
philosophical principles he professed have been 
examined and admitted by some of the ablest de^ 
fenders of religion, more justice has been done 
to his charactjsr. His writings contain repeated 
testimonies in favour of Christianity; J and he 
practised the duties of religion. It is particularly 
deserving of notice, that he received the sacra- 
ment several times, with apparent devotion, ac- 
cording to the account of the Earl of Devonshire's 
chaplain, § His political principles were certainly 
reprehensible, as they were calculated to promote 
tyranny and oppression. — He was upon the whole 



* Britifh Biography. Vol. v. p, i6, 17. 

J- Survey of the Leviathan, p. 3. 

+ See the Leviathan, p. 203, 204. and De Give. cap. 3. S. 33. 

^ Noorthouck's Hilt, ^nd Clafs, Dift* Art. Hobbes. 



a 



'1 man of virtue; afid AVas titidoubtedly a bold 
and original thinker. Timidity however was a 
prominent trait in his character. He could ne- 
ver reconcile himself to the thoughts of death. 
The freedom of his opinions atld sentiments for- 
med a striking contrast with this part of hi§ 
G<)nduCt. 



Thomas Lx)rd Wharton, aftetwairds Marquis of 
Wharton and MalmesbLir}% was for many years 
high steward of the borough of Malm^sbury.-^^ 
His abilities as a statesmati were very considerable. 
He enjoyed the confidence of three successive 
sovereigns, William IH. AnnCj aifid George I. and 
held considerable employments under each of 
them. — —Lord Wharton was created Viscouftt 
Winchenden, in Buckinghamshire, atfid Earl of 
Wharton, in 1705, by Queen Anue. H6 a^&& ap- 
pointed Lord Lieutenant 6f Ireland, November 
9.5, 1708. And in 1714^ ha Was advanced m the 
title of Marquis of Wharton atid Malmeshury, 
by George I. The same yeai' he WaS made Lord 
Privy-Seal. He did riot long enjoy the§e h^nDUr^, 
dying in 1715.* The Marquis of Wharton Was 
a man of genius aud learning, and an eftcoUraget 
of learned men. Sir Richard Steele prefixed to 
the fifth volume of the Spectator, a dedication 
in which he acknowledges his obligations to him 
for favours which he had received, and bestows 

* Bolton's Extindl Peerage, p. 302,— tablet of Memory, 4th edit. p. 21X. 
KImber's Hift. of Eng. p, 414. 

on 



[ £53 ] 

on him great and probably deserved encomiamj^. 
His lordship was an actor in the Revolution, iti 
1668; and hjs general Conduct shewed that he 
ivas the friCnd of hberty; therefore his patronage 
does honour to the corporation of Malmesbury. 



MaRY CHANi)L1£iR. 

Mary Chandler was a lady who distinguished 
hCi'self by some ingenious poetical compositions. 
She ivas born at M^tlniesburyj in 1687. Her fa- 
ther, Henry Chandler,* was a dissenting iiiinister, 
who pubHshed a small tehgious tract, in 1705; 
from the title of which it appears that he then re- 
sided at Bath. As he was far from being wealthy 
he thought it necessary for his daughter to learn 
some business. She accordingly became a miU 
liner, and kept a shop at Bath. She was however 
carefully instructed in the principles of rehgion 
and virtue, by her father; and her conduct du- 
ring the whole of her life was very exemplary. 

From her childhood she was observed to have 
a turn for poetry, often entertaining her compa- 
nions with riddles in verse; and was extremely 
fond at that time of life of Herbert's Poems. In 
her riper years, she applied herself to the study of 
the best modern poets, and of the ancient poets 
likewise, as far as translations could assist her. 



* Dr. Samuel Chandler, a learned divine, was the fon of this gentleman. 
Befides many other literary produftions, Dr, S. C. was the author of ** A 
Critical Hiftory of the Life of David" Two Volumes 8vo, He died May 8, 
1766, aged 73 years. 

It 



[ 234 ] 

It is said that she preferred Horace to both Homer 
and Virgil: because he did not deal so much in 
fable as the}^, but treated of subjects which lay 
within the sphere of nature, and had a relation to 
common life. 

Though deformed in her person, such was the 
goodness of her character, that a worthy country 
gentleman of considerable fortune, took a journey 
of one hundred miles to Bath to pay her his ad- 
dresses, which she declined ; as she had determined 
to live single. She published several poems, and 
one upon the Bath, which was well received by 
the public, and passed through several editions. 
It met with the approbation of Mr. Pope, who 
paid her a personal visit.* She died after nearly 
two years illness, September 11, 1745.t 

Mrs. Chandler appears to have been a woman 
of respectable abilities, and of a cultivated un- 
derstanding. Her poems which are written in an 
unaffected and natural style, breathe a spirit of 
true piety snd philosophy. 



* She was alfo honoured with the friendflilp of the celebrated Mrs Rowe. 
-{- Blogr. Brlt» V, Iji, p. 436. 



ADDITIONAI. 



[ Q35 ] 



ADDITIONAL FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON 
SOME PARTS OF THIS WORK. 



Sect. I. p. 24. The following occurrence which 
took place at Malmesbury, is interesting as it re- 
lates to the brave Edmund Ironside, the last of 
our kings of the first Saxon dynasty. Ethelred 
II. at the instigation of his treacherous coun- 
sellor Edric StreoUj having murdered at Oxford, 
Morcar and Sigefrid, (two earls, who though 
of Danish extraction, had fought for England,) 
he seized Algitha the wife of the latter, who was 
a very beautiful woman, and confined her as a 
prisoner in a convent at Malmesbury. Edmund 
Ironside, visiting this place shortly after, was so 
struck with the personal accomplishments of the 
noble widow, that he determined to deliver her 
from imprisonment and to marry her; which de- 
sign he immediately executed, without Avaiting 
for the consent of his father. G. Malmes. de 
Gest. Reg. Ang. lib. II. cap. 10. — R. de Hoved, 
Annal. pars pinor. 

p. 26. The town and castle of Malmesbury 
seems to have fallen into the hands of the par- 
tisans of the Empress Maud, and to have had a 
garrison placed in it soon after she first invaded 
England; for Gervase of Tilbury informs us that 

King 



[ $3$ ] 

King Stephen besieged Malniesbury in 1140; but 
we know not whether it was surrendered. — As 
William the Historian favour^ the cause of the 
empress, in his account of the transactions of 
his own times, we may infer that the monks of 
this convent were in general her friends. This 
opinion receives support from the account al- 
ready given of the conduct of the abbot Peter. 
(Vid. p. 176, ]n0, lib,) Indeed it must be ac- 
knowledged to be extremely probable that the 
townspeople a$ well as tlie religious of Mahnes- 
bury, were strongly attached to the empress, as 
a descendant of their beloved Saxon monarchs, 
to whom they were indebted for §0 many favours. 
This attachment was rewarded by Henry 11. who 
gave to the monastery six };ounds ten shillings of 
hundred silver, llegist. Abhat, MabMS. in JBibL 
Cott. 

Sect. II. p. 40. After the death of King 
Athelstan, the convent of Malmesbury flourished 
exceedingly, till Edwy ascended the throne; who 
expelled the monks froni all the monasteries they 
then possessed in England, and placed secular 
priests in their room. The abbey of Malmesbury 
was one of the benefices of which the monks were 
dispossessed on this occasion. William of Mal- 
mesbury thus indignantly notices this transaction. 
** Nam et Malmesburiense coenobium plusquam 
ducentis septuaginta annis a monachis inhabitum, 
clericorun^ stabulum fecit" Be G^st. Reg, J?2g,. 
L ii. Q. 7, MalriKshiry Monastery^ tvhich had 

been 



[ 2S7 ] 

hem inhabited by mo7iks for more tha?i two hun- 
(b^ed and seventy yearSy zvas made a stable for 
clerks.'' 

The monks of Malmesbury were restored by- 
Edgar, in 974; about sixteen years after tlie date 
of their deprivation. 

p, 54. " See the grant of a mitre to the ab- 
bot of Malmesbury, in JVilkins' Councils. Vol. 
iii. p. 142, 143." Tanners Notit. Monast. Pref 
p. 25. Note (e) Though the abbot of Malmesbury 
vvMs one of the twenty-five fixed on for parliamen- 
tary abbots, by Edward III. according to the 
account already given, yet he had not a grant 
of episcopal ornaments and authority till the 
third year of the reign of Richard II. but he w^as 
before that time, exempt from the power of his 
diocesan; as appears from the above-noticed grant 
in Wilkins' Councils. 

Sect. III. Many drawings and engravings 
of Malmesburv Abbev, have been executed at dif- 
ferent times. In Dugdales Monasticon there is a 
soutli-west view, already noticed in p. 46. Ano- 
ther south-west view was engraved by Buck, 1 730. 
Dean Lyttleton, exhibited before the Society of 
Antiquaries, in 1754, very accurate drawings of 
.several parts of Malmesbury Abbey, which be- 
longed to Smart LetheuUier, esq. There are 
extant two engravings of the remains of this 
monastery, by Hearne, an ingenious artist, who 
was born in the neighbourhood of Malmesbury. 
Oneof tliem contains a view of the western tower, 

G G and 



[ 238 ] 

and the other of the north side of the abbey. — - 
Mr. J. Hanks of IMalmesbury, some years since, 
made four large drawings exhibiting two near, and 
two distant views of this relic of antiquity; from 
^vhich, engravings in aquatinta were executed, by 
F. Jukes, of Howland Street, London, in 1789. 

Sect. IV. Some curious observations on Go- 
thic architecture, have been published in a paper 
*' on the Origin of the Greek Alphabet," in the 
Monthly Magazine, Vol. xii. No. 81. 

Sect. V, aS'^. ^ PauVs Ch urch . * From the ihed 
cited in p. 98, it appears that there was, so early 
as the latter part of the thirteenth century, a vicar 
of this church, who is stiled Walter, perpetual 
vicar of the church of St Paul; and that the ab- 
bot and cotivent here, were the patrons. In the 
Patent Rolls, 13th of Henry IV. (1412) there 
is the following memorandum, relating to the 
endowment of this vicarage. " Malmesbury Ab- 
bey for the payment of seven shillings there, to 
the vicar of the church of St. Paul, for lands 
in Brokenburge, Milbourn, Burton, and Malmes- 
bury." Hence it follows that this vicarage, like 
many others, was endowed with a salary issiiing 
out of the property belonging to the convent. — • 
See Teidmiii's Hist, of Tauntony p, 0,4 — 26. The 

* Wiltfhire Living difcharged, 

ST. PAUt's. 

Certified. Value. C «,. . .- , ^ ? Yearly Tenths, 

o, J -i Vicarage in Malmefbury. J- . K ,. 

281. OS, od. i ^ ^ \ ol. i6s. aid. 

' Bateman's R, and Ecc. Caz. p. 126. 

account 



[' ^S9 ] 

ajGcountof pensioiispaidto ipcumbents, Sec. of re- 
ligious houses and chauiitries, an, 1553; as the same 
^vere issued out of the crown revenues, from the 
receipts of the abbey -lands, contains this article: 
'^ To Thomas Washeborne, priest, (St Paul's 
Church, Malmesbury") was granted five poundso 
Willis' Hist, of Mitred Abbies. Vol. ii. 

Sect. VL p. 149. The fee-farm of the abbey 
and convent of Malmesbury, twelve pounds was 
applied to the royal purveyance, 28th of Henry VI. 
Rot. Pari, ejusd. aiini. This paragraph should 
hava'been inserted before that relating to the grant 
to W. Elton, esq; which was likewise made in the 
Tisig-n of Henrv VI. 

Sir Henry Knyvett, knt. — '^ Charlton Park, the 
seat of the Earl of Suffolk, is situated one mile 
north of INIalmesbury, in the midst of a fine level 
lawn. The estate came into the family in the six- 
teenth century, by the marriage of Thomas Earl 
of Suffolk, with Elizabeth daughter and co-hei- 
ress to Sir Henry Knevit, of Charlton, and the 
house was built in the succeeding century, by the 
famous Inigo Jones." Warnefs E<vcursionsjfro7n 
Bath, J). 175. Mrs. Warneford, who died seized 
of the manor of Malmesbury, in 1631, was pro- 
bably another of the daughters and co-heiresses 
of Sir H. K. — Part of the abbey lands near Mal- 
inesbury, which had been the property of W. 
Stumpe, esq; and Sir H. Knyvett, belonged, in 
1578, (£Oth of Eliz.) to Adam Archarde, clothier, 
of Malmesbury. 

Tilt 



[ £'40 ] 

The Toivn Seal *'Tlie seal of this corporatioi^ 
was engraved in 1615. It represents a castle with 
an embattled tower at each end, on the centre a 
tower domed, thereon a pennon ; on each side of 
the castle three ears of wheat, on one stalk ; in 
chief, on the dexter side a mullet of six points, 
and on the sinister an increscent ; again, on the sir 
nister side thi'ee balls, one near the dome of the 
upper tower, and the other two near the battle- 
ments of the sinister tower. The. base of the es- 
cutcheon water." 

*' N. B. It is also painted as above, on a field 
gules, in the Town-Hall; but I believe, (says Mr. 
Edmondson,) it was never intended as an armo- 
rial ensign." Edmondsoji's Heraldrif, Vol, i. ^ 
Armorial Ensigns of Counties, CitieSy 8^c, in 
Letter M. 

Sect. VII. Clothing Tirade, Several small 
brass, or copper coins, struck by clothiers, and 
other tradesmen of Malmesbury, have come under 
our notice. They are commonly v/ithout date; 
but probably most of them were issued before the 
first legal copper coins were introduced into En- 
gland, in 1609. (See Tablet of Memoryy p, 39- J 
The existence of these tokens, shews that the 
trade of this town was considerable at an early 
period. 

p. 161. Among the arts and trades exercised 
at Malmesbury in the seventeenth century, that 
oi distilling must be included. In the year 1674. 
as we learn from a deed still extant, in the parislj 

chest , 



t: 241 J- 

chcj^t, a distiller carried on business in the parisli 
of Westport. There is a barn situated near the 
presbyteiian chapel, v/here the remains of flues are 
to be perceived: and this building is said to have 
been a distillery. Similar appearances may he 
observed in the stables belonging to the " Thre?? 
Gups Inn^" which is supposed to have been used 
for the same purpose. 

A2icient Fair. It may be conjectured that the 
privilege of having a fair kept near this town, 
was obtained for the inhabitants, by one of tbe 
abbots.— Among the advantages, (says Tanner,) 
that accrued to places where abbots had their sites 
and estates, was their getting from government 
grants of fairs for them. Notit. Moiiast. p. 33. 
See Dr, Henrfs Hist, of Gr. Br. V. iv. p. £05, 
S; serf, for some curious particulars relating to 
monastic fairs. 

p. l66. The latter part of the paragrapli con- 
cerning Sunday Schools, (drawn up by the editor) 
is erroneous. Several seminaries of this descrip- 
tion, have at different times been established at 
Malmesbury, but they have been all dropped ex- 
cept one, which has now subsisted for some years. 
We have the pleasure to add that a new Sunday 
School has very lately been established, under 
the direction of the Rev. Mr. Perrv, Baptist Mi- 
nister, of Malmesbury. 

Sect. VIII. Abbots of Malmeshury. In the 
Harleian Library, M.S. 433, is a warrant to Sir 
Edmund $haw,. knight, directing him to restore 

t« 



L 2452 ] 

to the abbot and convent of Malmesbury, the 
remainder of their plate, left in his custody by 
Sir Thomas St. Leger, knight, to whom it had 
been pawned ; and for which the same abbot had 
paid to the king a sum of money. CataL JFanki/, 
-^Aux. Coll. for WiltsK M. S. 
. * In. Rei/ner's Appendix to his Apostolatus BeuQ- 
dictinorunij there are complaints of the frequent 
iregligeELce of the abbots, of Malmesbur}', in omit- 
ting* to send students to the university, p. 177:. ; 
Arms of the Abbots of Malmesbury. The seal 
of tliis abbey, appendant to a deed of Richard, 
the last abbot, in the augmentation office, w^as 
drawn and engmved, by J. Bailey 1767. British 
Topography, Vol, ii. /;. 379. 

Sect. IX. Daniel Abbot of Malmesbury, 
The passage in page 192, relative to the investi- 
ture of Daniel with the pontifical robes by Aid- 
liehn, is mistranslated from WiUiam's Life of 
Aldhelm, owins; to some obscuritv in the jnanu- 
script copy of the original which was used. . Fro.m 
the account given in p. 205, it will be perceived 
that Daniel and Aldhelm were both consecrated 
bishops at the same time, and that the former be- 
came abbot of Malmesbury on the death of the 
latter: the nocturnal vigils of Daniel, were there- 
fore practised previous to his assuming the episcopal 
function, and not when he was made superior of 
th@ monasterv. 



[ ,243 ] 
APPENDIX 



*^* Several of the Notes intended Jor this Appendix, fviz, 
, IV. VIII. IX. XVII. XVIII. XXII.* XXIII. 
XXV. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. and XXX.) con^ 
taining abstracts and copies of Monastic and Municipal 
Charters, &c, are omitted for the reasons assigned in 
/y^d Address to the Public, fl;2^ Preface. 

Note I. 

n^HE Britons and Saxons frequently denominated their 
towns from the rivers on which they were situated. — 
The tov/n of Cirencester, anciently called Caer Ceri, or 
Cori, received its name from the river Ceri, Cori, or Corin, 
now stiled Churn, on which it stands. Leiand's Itinerary, 
Vol. ix. p. 32. The town of Taunton^ formerly spelt 
Thonton, derived its name from the river Thone, or Tone. 
Toulmin's Hist, of Taunton, p. 1. 
Note II. 
As the name of this town has been written in a variety of 
ways, some of them widely differing from each other, it has 
been considered as a task not wholly useless to collect a list 
of the principal methods of writing the word Malmesbury; 
and to distinguish the respective writers by whom they have 
been used. It is stiled by William of Malmesbury, Monas- 
terium Malmesburiense, Mailduliesburch, Malmesburiaand 
Maldelmesburh ; by Hen. of Huntingd. Mealdune, Mam- 
nesbirh, and Manbebirh; by Ingulph of Croyland, Maldel- 
mesbiria and Maldelmesburgh; in Domesday-book, Mames- 
berie and Malmesberie; and by Leland, Malmesbyri. 

Note III. p. 28„ 
See *« An Illustration of the N. T," V. i. p. 44. 

Note 



■[ 244 j 

Note V. p. 38. 

Cottonlan Library. Otho C. i. A copy of the four' 

Evangelists, in Saxon^ ii. fol. 93, Inter Evangelias S. Lucae 
8c Johannis habetur Privilegium Sergii Papae, Saxonice, 
concessum Aldelmo, Abbati Mcldunensi, successoribusq; 
suis; & per eos venerabili eorum Monasterio de Ea; ut sint 
ab omni onere (seu vinculo^ sa^culari immunes, nulliusquc 
4.1teriiis Jurisdictioni subjecti, &c. Quas quidem concession 
nes confirmasse dicuntur Ethelredus Rex Merciorum & Ina 
Rex Weft Saxonum, Teste eodum Aldelmo. G. Malmes. 
apud Antiquae Literaturae Septentrionalis, Liber Alter. Per 
H. Wan ley, p. 212. 

Note VL Id. pag\ 
See Toulmin's Kist. of Taunton, p. 6. Note "^ 

Note VIL p. 39. 

Soon after king Athelstan came to the crown, a conspiracy 
was entered into against him, by some of his conrtiers; 
amoncT the rest was Alfred, a nobleman who had lands in 
Wiltshire. The ultimate design of this apparently ill-con- 
trived plot is ratl^er obscure, but it is said the conspirators 
intended to have seized the person of the king, and after 
having deprived him of his eyes, to have confined him in 
prison, and perhaps to have placed his brother Edwy on the 
throne. Their machinations were discovered, but Alfred 
asserted his Innocence, and went to Rome to prove it by 
oath, before the Pope. We are told that he approached the 
altar oi St. Peter and took the oath, which he had no sooner 
done than he fell down before the altar. He was immediately 
taken by his servants to the English college, where he died 
three davs afterwards. The Pope with the consent of AtheU 
stnn, ordered that he should be buried in consecrated ground. 
The circumstances which attended the death of Alfred, 
were considered as having sealed and confirmed his guilt, 
jur\ hi", property was confiscated. The king, hov;ever, did 

not 



[ 245 J 

not retain it in his. own hands, but gave it to the monastery 
of Malmesbury, as a thank-offering for his escape. Ex- 
tracted from the Grant of Athelstan to the abbot and convent 
cj Malmesbury, 

Note X. p. 45. 

Longitudo totius Ecclesioe Monasterii Sancti Aldelmi d£ 
Malmesbury, ciim Choro cojitinet 172 Gressus meos; ac La- 
iitudo ejus continet 42 Gressiis. 

Longitudo Capdlce beatce Merice 7/1 Orientem continet 36 
Gressus. 

Latitudo Capellce ejusdem continet 9 Gressus. 

Longitudo claustri ex omni parte continet quodlibet Glaus* 
trum -r Gressus, 

Latitudo Navis Ecclcsia. Principalis ultra Alas continet 
23 Gressus, 

Willis's Hist, of Mitred Abbi^s, vol. i. p. 322. 
Note XI. p. 46. 

Bells were commonly used in Europe during the tenth cen- 
tury. About the year 970, Egelric, abbot of Croyland, gave 
to that monastery six bells. Turketul, his predecessor, had gi- 
ven one before. Ingulph asserts that they altogether formed 
the finest set of bells in England. Historia, p. 505, edit Savil. 
Note XII. p. 48. 

Mr. Gilpin asserts that there were five hundred established 
monks belonging to the abbey of Glastonbury. Obs. on 
the Western Parts of Eng. p. 138. But this account is quite 
inconsistent with the information contained ifi the following 
extract from Reyner's Apostolatus Benedictinorum, p. i. 
p. 224. "Vitingus igitur cum Abbas esset, Monasterium 
integrum ac clausam 100 plus minus religiosorum habebat: 
aedibus vero separatis ac locis separatis pro Abbatum con- 
suetudine ad 300 domesticos sustentabat atque in iis multos 
jiobilium filios."— There were at Malmesbury, twenty-two 
monks, including the abbot to whom pensions were granted 
at the reformation. We are however informed by Mr. Fos- 

HH brooke. 



L 246 ] 

brooke, (Biitish Monachlsm, v. i. p. 153,) that to every ten 
monks there was a prior; now as there were three priors at 
Malmesbnry, the regular number of monks must have been 
thirty, exclusive of the officers; and when the revenues of 
the abbey v/ere in their most flourishing state, the monks 
were probably much more numerous. 

Note XIII. p. 51, 
The monks of La Trappe, seem to have excelled thosfe 
of other religious orders in their endeavours to embitter the 
cup of human life. During the troubles that succeeded the 
French Revolution several of these monastic devotees 'emi- 
grated to England. Mr. Weld, of Lulworth Castle, Dor- 
setshire, provided them with a retreat in the neighbourhood 
6f his seat. In tlie Monthly Magazine, vol. xx. No. 150. 
p. 112. there is a curious account, (too long for insertion,) 
of a visit to these solitary beings. 

Note XIV. p. 54. 

According to Fuller, in the forty-ninth year of Henry III. 
s'lxty-four abbots and thirty-six priors, were called to par- 
liament. But Edward III. reduced the number to twenty- 
five abbots and two priors; to whom were afterwards added 
two abbots, so that there were twenty-nine parliamentary mi- 
tred barons in all; viz. the abbot of Tewkesbury, the prior of 
Coventry, the abbots of Waltham, Cirencester, St. John's 
at Colchester, Croyland, Shrewsbury, Selhy, Bardney, St. 
Bennet's of Hulme, Thorney, Hide, Winchelcorhb, Bat- 
tel, Reading, St. Mary's York, Ramsey, Peterborough; 
St. Peter's Glocester, Glastonbury, St. Edmund's Bury, 
St. Austin's Canterbury, St. Alban's, Westminster, Abing- 
don, Evesham, Malmesbury, Tavistock, and the prior 
of St. John's of Jerusalem, who was stiled, " Primus An. 
glias Baro;" but it was with respect to the lay barons only, 
for he was the last of the spiritual ones. Many have as- 
signed the first place to the abbot ot St. Alban's. Tanner's 
Notit. Monast. pret* p. 26. 

Not e 



i 247 ] 

Note =^XIV. p. 82. 
Vid. Sect. VIII. huj. lib. 

Note XV. p. 62. 
See Robertson's Hist, of Scotland. Vol. i. p. 95, and 96. 

Note XVI. Id pag. 
See Fosbrooke's Brit. Monachism. Vol. ii. p. J93, and 194. 

Note XIX. p. 65. 
The lofty spire, the downfall of which is recorded by 
Leland, was probably the same that was built by Bishop Her- 
man; (vid. p. 75 and 174. huj. lib.) Perhaps the destruc- 
tion of our ancient Gothic churches may have been, in 
many instances, owing to the general practice of decorating 
them with high towers and pinacles. 

" N'OTE XX. p. 72. 
See Dunsford^s Historical Memoirs of Tiverton. P. v. p. 
305. N. 106. and Hist, of Cirencester, p. 299. 
Note XXI. p. 75. 
Vid. Sect. viii. p. 174. huj. lib. 

Note XXIII. p. 81. 

See Mosheim's Ecclesiast. Hist. tr. by Dr. Machine, 

vol. . i p. 121. 

N^OTE XXIV. p. 101. 
See King's Munimenta Antiqua; or Obs. on Ancient 
Castles, &c. vol. i.^ chap. i. 

X^OTE XXV. p. 107. 

Copia Chartae R. Athelstani concessse civibus Malmesbu- 
rias, de libertatibus & privilegiis istius ciiiitatis, M. S. Cott. 
Vitel. c. ix. § 15. — (Smith's Catal.) 

Note XXIX, p. 125. 

See Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England, 
nth edit. vol. iii. book iii. chap. 17th, p. 262 — 264. 

*NoTE XXXI. p. 127. 

The mode of initiating a commoner into the privileges of 
a landholder may be considered as a relic of feudal polity. 

The 



[ 248 ] 

The s^eward of Ihe hundred goes with the person electee! 
into the field containing the acre he'is about to possess, and 
cuts a turf of grass, and a twig from the hedge. The person 
then drops two shillings into the hole made by cutting the 
turf. The steward sticks the twig in the turf and delivers 
it to him pronouncing the following lines. 
This turf and twig I give to thte^ 
As Jree as Athdstan gave to me^ 
And I hope a loving brother thou unit be. 
The ste\vard having taken the money out of the hole the 
new landholder replaces the turf. The money thus re- 
ceived by the steward, is spent by the corporation at King 
Athenian's Feast, which is kept on the second Tuesday after 
Trinity Sunday — Besides the officers noticed in the charter, 
there are, a steward of the capital burgesses, a steward of 
the assistants, a steward of the landholders, and a steward 
of the commoners. These are apnually elected on the first 
Tuesday after Trinity. 

Note XXXII. p. 131. 
See Monthly Review Enl. for Nov. 1797. p. 351. 
Note XXXIV. p. 159. 

" Sim.on Gawen, sometime vicar of this parish, but put 
out and expelled because a Nonconformist was buried 22d 
Jan. 1671." — Parish Register. 

Mr. Gawen was Vicar of Malmesbury in 1629, as ap- 
pears by the Register. 

Note XXXV. p. 176. 
See Andrews* Hist, of Great Britain, vol. i. p. 148. 



FINIS. 



Gcfodwryn, Printer, Tetbury, 



[ 249 ] 



ADDENDUM 



APPENDIX. Note XXXIII. 



A List of the Members of Parliament for the 
Borough of Malmesbury. 



1741 Giles Erie, Esq. 
1747 John Lee, Esq. 

1 754 Rt. Hon, Lord G. Bentmck. 

1760 William Conolly, Esq. 

1761 Rt. Hon. Richard (Tylney) 

Earl Tylney, in Ireland. 

1763 Rt. Hon. John (Child) Earl 
Tylney, in Ireland. 

J 768 Rt. Hon. Arthur (Chiches- 
ter) Earl of Donegal, in 
Ireland'. 

1774 Hon. C. J. Fox. 

1780 Hon. George (Legge) Vis- 
count Lewisham, son of 
the Earl of Dartmouth. 

1784 Rt. Hon. Peniston (Lamb) 
Viscount Melbourne, in 
Ireland. 

1790 B. B. Hopkins, Esq. 
1791 

1795 Francis Glanville, Esq. 

1796 Peter Isaac Thelluson, Esq. 
4797 

1802 Claude Scott, Esq. 



W. Rawlinson Erie, Esq. 
James Douglas, Esq. 
Hon. Edward Digby. 
Brice Fisher, Esq. 

Thomas Conolly, Esq. 



Hon. Thomas Howard. 



"William Strahan, Esq, 

Hon. Arthur (Hill) Vis- 
count Fairford, son of 
the E. of Hillsborough. 

Hon. James (Maitland) 
Viscount Maitland, son 
of the Earl of Lauder- 
dale. 

Paul Benfield, Esq. 

Sir J. Saunderson, Knt. 

' Smith, Esq. 

Philip Metcalfe, Esq. 
Samuel Scott, Esq- 



EERATA. 



P. 43, I. 10, after Infangtheoffe, infeft a comma. , P. 45, 
1. 13, iox fourteen, read nine. P. «;i, 1'.' 1, for to, read in, 
P. 59, 1. I, for wne readz6'^J'. P. 72, 1. 29, for death, read 
life. P. 74, 1. 28,' for eastern^ x&^A zuestern, P. 84, 1. 5, 
after additions, infert a mark of interrogation. P. 88, 1. 
13, for . infert, P. id. 1. 14, for , infert . P. 91, 1. 17, 
read tkose by whom, P. 102, 1. 12, for moiety, read rein-. 
nant. P. 114, 1. 23, read as, P. 130, 1- 22, read with. — 
P. 136, 1. 28, xQ2id. him. P. 138, 1. 12, read James John 
Vassar. P. 164, 1. 27, 28, for and two pounds per annum 
to he distributed in six-fences ^ left by Mr. Cui/erne, read 
four pounds per annum, left by Mr, Wayte; and twenty 
pounds per annum, left by Mr. Cullerne. P. 170, 1. 14, for 
Nor, read Or. P. 192, 1, 30, read supererogation, P. 202, 
1. 28, after optimus, insert Saxonicus atque Latinus poeta 
facundissimus. P. 223, 1. 27, after there, insert is. P« 
224, 1. 12, read Ouindecim. P. 245, 1. 9, read Marice^ 



/A Ti^e Town and Borough of 



Donors, 



Alderman ie Support of a Free- 
and maintaining poor Wi- 
Burgesses. : 



P resent 1)' as tees 



The Alderman and 
Burgesses. 



Mr. Robertfl for the general Good 
;ry Year, in Sums not 
ich Family; — Twenty 
preached annually on 
e Abbey Church ; — 
for the Trustees, on 
to the Distributor of 
Shillings per ann. to 
th to be proportion 
r of the above-men 



Mrs. Ann Dividend to be paid 
Rowles, off the Parish of Mai 



Malmesbury 



ted on Good Friday, 
ch Proportions as they 
One-third to be paid 
tport, and distributee 
le Poor of that Parish, 



V'Ir. Williai expended in the Pur-J. S. Ody, 
Arnold, old to the Poor of Mai- Edmund Lyne, 
Bristol. le Trustees. Samwell Ody. 



John Hanks, 
idmundLvne, 
R. B. Robins, 
George Garlick, 
William Adey, 
Benjamin Brind, 
John Hook, 



Frocluce. 



20/. ^s. 
per annum. 



24/ 



J. S. Ody, 

Giles Ganter, 
Samwell Ody. 



3/- 

per annum. 



16/. ^s. %{d, 
per annum. 



A TABLE of the CHARITIES belono-ino- to the Town and Borough of 

MALMESBURY. 



.oLertJe, 



Twenty Pounds, Five Sliillings pci 
anniim, issuing out of tlic Lands o: 
the Burgesses. 



July .9 
.634. 



rwo Messuages with Gardens, a„d 
Eleven Acres of Land; situated i 
the Parishes of Lea and Mahne: 
bnrv. 






Ten Pounds per annum for the Support of a ¥ti 
School ; and Ten Pounds for maintaining poor "^ 
dows, in an Almshouse. 



Appikatii 



The Rents designed to be applied for the general Good 
of the Borough, at the Discretion of the Trusts 



■ Deed of For the BcneSt of Eight Poor Persons of the Borough 
of Malmesbury, inhabiting the Almshouses built by 
the Donor. 



frcsciit Trustees 



The Alderman and 
Burgesses. 



lohn Hanks. 
Giles Canter, 
William Adey, 
Nicholas Sargeant, 
Mark Newth. 



The Payment of thi 

Donation has been 

discontinued ever 

since December 

21st, 1729. 



Sep. 29, 
1654. 



f By Deed of For appr 



:ing such poor Children of Malmesbury 
would be chargeable to the Parish. 



The Alderman, 
Churchwardens, 
Overseers of the 
Poor, and Con- 
stables of the 



Mr. Edmund 
Wayte, of 
Malmesbury 



5ur Pounds 
)f Canopp's 



Malmesbury. 



By Will. 



Two Pounds to the Poor of Malmesbury; One Pound 
to the Poor of Burton Hill; and One Pound to 
Poor of Westport; to be distributed annually 
Good Friday. 



The Churchwardens 

of the respect 

Parishes. 



Michael 
Wcekes, est 
of London. 



March 17, A F 
1695. of Arabli 



ie and Fortv-eight Acres 
d Pasture tand, siti 
the Parishes of Somerford ,\I, 
d Somerford Parva, Wilts. 



f Ten Pounds of the Rent for the Support of the Bur- 
gesses' School; — Ten Pounds for the .Support of the 
Burgesses' Almshouse; — Twenty Shillings to the 
\^icar of Malmesbury for an Annual Sermon; — 
Twenty Shillings for an annual Dmner for the 
Trustees; — and the Surplus for Charitable Purposes, 
at the Option of the Trustees. 



John Hanks, 

Giles Canter, 
am Adey, 
)las Sargeant, 



Supposed 
be worth .1 
per animn 



',S 



Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Hodges 
of Shipton- 



Thirty Pounds per annum, issuin 
of Estates in the Parishes of Leo^nard 
Stanley, Cam, Stinchcomb, 
Berkeley, in Glocestershire. — And 
' Ten Pounds out of Estates ii 
•ishes of Shipton Moyne 
pton Duffield, in Glocestcri 



'hirtyPounds per annum, for the Augmentation of the Earl of Radnor, 
Charity Schools, in Malmesbury.— By a Decree otjLady Mill, 
the Court of Chancery, dated May 30tb, 1730, itjRev. E. Garden 
was ordered that when the Five Trustees mentioned 
in Mrs. Hodges' Will, should be reduced to three, 
the Survivors shall appoint new Trustees: that a new 
School should be established, wherein Fifteen Boys, 
Children of the poor Inhabitants of Malmesbury, 
should be taught; that no Boy should be admitted 
under the rtge of 5 years and continue there beyond 
the age of .4. 
And Ten Pounds per annum for the Benefit 
House-keepers in Malmesbury, not receiving 






i-ty of a Bequest of Fou 
i per annum; charged on th< 
riate Tythes and Glebe o 
ish of St. Paul, Malmesbury 



u^ iii.^trihuted to the Poor of Mahiiciuuiy; wnc-iuuim w 
Remainder to the Poor of Tytherington, in Glocestershi 



r of Westport and MalmesburyJ having 
( Mortmain, Mr. John Melhuish, Nephew 



This Donation (designed for the Benefit of the Po 

been set aside by the Operation of the Sta 

of the Donor, in 1803, lelt in Lieu of it. One Hundred and Fifty Pounds, to De laid out in i 
Purchase of Woollen and Linen Cloth. Of these Articles, One-fourth Part was to 
:sbury; One-fourth to the Poor of Westport: and the 



Joseph Cu 



Ten Pound 



•^l 



to the Poor of Malmesbu 
Poor of "Westport : — Twenty 
Shillings to the Poor of Burton Hill; to be distributed 
on the First Day of January every Year, in Sun 
exceeding Five Shillings to each Family;— Ti 
Shillings for a Sermon, to be preached annually on 
the Twelfth of March, in tlie Abbey Church 
Twenty Shillings for a Dinner for the Trustees, 
the same day; — Ten Shillings to the Distributor 
this Benefaction; — and Thirty Shillings per ann. 
Sarah Hughes; after her Death to be proporti 
ably divided between the l^or of the above-m 
tioned Tliree Places. 



hard Robins, 
Giles Canter, 
Daniel Smith, 
Edmund Lyne, 
R. B. Robins, 
George Garlick, 
William Adey, 
Benjamin Brind, 
John Hook. 



One Hundred Pounds Stock, in thi 
3 per cent, consolidated Bank An 



Two Thirds of the Interest, or Dividend to be paii 
yearly to the Churchwardens of the Parish of Mai 
mesbury ; and by them distributed on Good Friday 
to the Poor of the Parish, in such Proportions as they 
may think fit — The remaining One-third to be 
to the Churchwardens of Westport, and distributed 
by them in the same manner to the Poor of that Parish 



J. S. Ody, 

Giles Canter, 

Samwell Ody. 



(ilr. William 

ftrnold, of 

Bristol. 



Four Hundred Pounds to purchase 
Stock in the Government Funds. 
Accordingly in 1785, Five Hun- 
dred and SeventySi-v PoundsTwelve 
Shillings and Ten Pence capital stock 
of reduced 3 per cent. Annuities 
was purchased, with the Sum of 
Three Hundred and Ninety Five 
Pounds; which together with five 
Pounds the Stamp Duty on the Ac- 
auittance, constituted the amount ot 
Bcqi 



By Will. 



The Interest, or Dividend to be expended in the Pur- J. 
chase of Bread, to be distributed to the Poor of Mai- Ed 
mesbury, at the Discretion of the Trustees. 



S. Ody, 

mund Lyne 
Samwell Ody. 



61. 5s. S{d, 



LBAg?9 



mmm,tS^ ^^ CONGRESS 



021 397 233 9 



- .•■::Pq 









• ''••'''a 



•? • 






m, 



